The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Benin Zonal Office, today March 26, 2019 secured the conviction of Gilbert Akue (alias Barry Morgan) at the Federal High Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State presided over by Justice M. G.Umar.
Akue was convicted on a one count charge of fraudulently impersonating the identity of one Barry Morgan on a dating site in order to hoodwinked his victims.
He was said to have paraded himself as Barry Morgan with the intent to obtain money from one Miss Vivianwong and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2)(b)(ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention etc) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22(2)(b)(IV) of the same Act
Upon arraignment, Akue pleaded guilty to the charge.
Based on his plea, the prosecution counsel, Immaculate Elody prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant as contained in the plea bargain agreement.
However, the defence counsel, O.V. Ekamre pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as her client was a first time offender who has shown remorse and has promised never to go back to the crime .
Justice M.G.Umar thereafter sentenced the accused to two (2) months imprisonment without an option of fine.
The defendant is also to forfeit all assets traced and recovered from him to the victim through the Federal government of Nigeria as proceeds of crime.
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