Court Convicts Two In Calabar For Impersonation

Two fraudsters have been convicted by Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State.

This followed their arraignment by the Uyo Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The duo – Okanezi David Tamunonengiyeofori and Unuafe Robert Oghenetejiri – were found guilty on a separate one-count charge bordering on impersonation and obtaining by false pretense.

Their journey to prison started when Oghenetejiri fraudulently obtained the sum of N492, 000 from one Julius Austin Nkpung after hacking into the electronic identity of his UBA account, while Tamunonengiyeofori was convicted for impersonating one James Ogbonda in order to gain monetary advantage for himself from unsuspecting victims.

Both pleaded “guilty” to the charges preferred against them.

In view of their guilty pleas, the Prosecuting Counsel, Joshua Abolarin, asked the court to invoke Section 270 (9) and (10a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act in convicting the offenders.

Abolarin also informed the court of the plea agreements dated November 19, 2020, entered by the guilty duo and the prosecution, and adopted same for the prosecution.

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The defence counsel, C. N. Nweke raised no objection, but prayed the court to tamper justice with mercy during sentencing, because, according to him, they were first time offenders.

Delivering judgement, the presiding Judge, Justice Amobeda convicted the accused persons and sentenced them in accordance with the provisions of the extant laws.

“I have considered all the factors, particularly the fact that the convicts are first-time offenders and who have exhibited sincere penitence in the circumstance rather than insist on their inalienable rights to trial. They pleaded guilty, thereby saving tax payers resources and the time of this court,” Justice Amobeda said.

They were both sentenced to three months imprisonment each.

While Tamunonengiyeofori was given the option of a fine of N150,000 and ordered to restitute N250,000 to his victim through the prosecution, Oghenetejiri was given the option of fine of N200,000.00 and was also ordered to restitute the sum of N492,000 to his victim through the prosecution.

The court also ordered that the convicts forfeit every instrument used in committing the crimes to the Federal Government and make an undertaken to the prosecution to be of good behaviour and never to be involved in any form of crime.