Nono Joseph Ekeocha has been convicted and sentenced by Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court, to one year imprisonment for being in possession of fraudulent documents.
This judgement was delivered on Tuesday when he pleaded guilty.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, proved one-count charge of possession of fraudulent documents Ekeocha used to perpetrate romance scam beyond reasonable doubt.
EFCC had alleged that the defendant committed the offence on June 27, 2024 in Lagos with intent to defraud, had in his possession, ‘Instagram Profile Account’ wherein he presented himself as Ronald Gregory, and other related documents for an online dating scam, which he knew or ought to know to be false.
The offence is contrary to Section 320 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015 and he pleaded guilty to the charge.
The prosecuting counsel, Ikhuoria Akhanolu, prayed the court to review the fact of the case, called his witness.
An operatives of EFCC, Ismail Saifullahi, informed the court that the defendant was arrested on June 29, 2024 along with others who engaged in computer-related fraud in Lagos.
He said that the convict was arrested and was brought to the EFCC office, and iPhone 12 pro max and Samsung S-10 phone was recovered from him during arrest. The phone was analyzed through forensic examination, and analysis revealed fraudulent documents
He said the convict were involved in an online dating scam wherein represented himself as a male American citizen name Ronald Gregory.
He further informed the court that the convict told the EFCC that he usually carried out his fraudulent activities online sending love messages randomly online to members of the public and those who gain interest in relationship were ask for financial assistance.
Akhanolu therefore tendered his extra judicial statement and a bundle of fraudulent documents printed out from his mobile device.
The judge admitted them as exhibits and convicted him as charged. Asked the convict to address the court. He pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, promising never to engage in internet fraud again.
