Man bags imprisonment, 100 hours community service for cybercrime

Forum 2 weeks ago

Man bags imprisonment, 100 hours community service for cybercrime

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of a Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday convicted and sentenced a man, Tunmise Aluko to a one-year imprisonment over cybercrime.

The court, however, gave the defendant an option of N300,000 fine, as well as 100 hours of community service.

The convict was charged with false statements and impersonation.

He pleaded guilty to the charge.

Following his plea, the prosecutor, Mrs Chineye Okezie, reviewed the facts of the case, and tendered evidence which was admitted by the court.

She then urged the court to proceed and convict the defendant based on his plea and the evidence adduced.

In his verdict, Justice Aneke found the defendant guilty of the offence and consequently convicted him.

After listening to a plea for mercy on behalf of the convict, the court sentenced him to one year imprisonment, with an option of N300,000 fine.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of the items used in committing the offence to the federal government.

The prosecutor said that the convict committed the offence between January and March.

She said he made a direct false statement, by pretending to be “Keanu Reeves,” an American actor on his telegram account, with intent to deceive unsuspecting victims.

According to the prosecutor, the convict intended that his misrepresentation be acted upon as genuine, to obtain financial gains from victims.

The offence, she said, contravened the provisions of Section 22(3) of the Cyber Crime Act, 2015.