The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction and sentencing of Nelson Solomon for internet fraud. Solomon was prosecuted on a two-count charge of impersonation, cheating, and obtaining by false pretence before Justice I. Nwosu of the FCT High Court Maitama, Abuja.
According to the charges, Solomon pretended to be an American engineer named John Scott and induced Webbi J.W. Mary to deliver $100 to him. He also pretended to be William Fernando, an American and induced Miguela Okayama to deliver another $100 to him.
Solomon pleaded guilty to the charges, leading the prosecution counsel, G.I. Ushie, to request the court to convict and sentence him accordingly. Justice Nwosu convicted and sentenced Solomon to a one-year imprisonment or a fine of N50,000. Additionally, Solomon forfeited his iPhone to the federal government.
This was made known through a post on their verified X handle @officialEFCC.
The post reads, “Abuja Court Jails Man for Internet Fraud. The Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on September 9, 2024, secured the conviction and sentence of one Nelson Solomon before Justice I. Nwosu of the FCT High Court Maitama, Abuja. Solomon was prosecuted on a two-count charge, bordering on impersonation, cheating and obtaining by false pretence.
“Count one of his charges reads: “That you Nelson Solomon, sometime in 2024 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court committed the offence of cheating by impersonation when you fraudulently induced one Webbi J.W. Mary to deliver the sum if $100 (One Hundred United States Dollars) to you by pretending to be one John Scott, an American engineer and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code Act Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 324 of the same Act.”
“Count two reads: “That you Nelson Solomon sometime in 2024 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court committed the offence of cheating by impersonation when you fraudulently induced one Miguela Okayama to deliver the sum of $100 (One Hundred United States Dollars) to you by pretending to be one William Fernando, an American and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code Act Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 324 of the same Act.”
“He pleaded “guilty” to the charges, prompting prosecution counsel G.I. Ushie to pray the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.
“Justice Nwosu after that convicted and sentenced him to a one-year imprisonment or to pay a N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira) fine. In addition, he forfeited his iPhone to the federal government.”
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