Justice D.I.Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting
in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, convicted and sentenced one
Innocent Owie Ochuko to three months imprisonment for internet fraud.
He was arraigned on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 on
a one-count charge bordering on cybercrime.
The charge reads: “That you, INNOCENT OWIE OCHUKO, on
or about the 20th June, 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of
this Honourable Court, and with intent to gain advantage, held out yourself as
"Hibrave Thugger" with an email: hibravethugger@gmail.com,
through Google Account profile to unsuspecting victims, wherein you gained
financial benefit to yourself through Bitcoin Investment Scam, and thereby
committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(2)(b) of the
Cybercrimes (Prohibition Prevention etc.) Act, Laws of the Federation of
Nigeria 2015.”
He pleaded “guilty” to the charge when it was read to
him.
In view of his plea, prosecution
counsel, I.G. Akhanolu called on Leonard Ayokor, an operative of the
EFCC, to review the facts of the case .
In his review, Ayokor stated that “the defendant
confessed his involvement in a Bitcoin investment scam. He also confessed
that he assumed the fictitious name, Exxes, from the United States of America
and that he benefited the sum of $1,000 AUD( One Thousand Australian
Dollars). During investigations, an iPhone 15 and a Samsung S9 were
recovered from him. He has restituted the sum of N300,000 (Three Hundred
Thousand Naira) through Zenith Bank manager’s cheque.”
Justice Dipeolu, , in view of the defendant’s
plea and evidence tendered by the prosecution, found him guilty and also
convicted him. He also sentenced him to three months imprisonment ,with
an option of a N700,000 fine.
He equally ordered that the mobile devices
recovered from him as well as the N300,000 manager’s cheque issued as
restitution be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The convict’s journey to the Correctional Centre began
when he was arrested on June 20, 2025 at County Estate, Lekki, Lagos in a sting
operation by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for being involved in internet fraud.
He was charged to court and jailed.
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