The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Enugu Zone on Monday July 5, 2021 secured the conviction of one Bernard Femi Pedro before Justice I.M Buba of the Federal High Court sitting in Enugu on a one count charge bordering on criminal impersonation and obtaining money under false pretences from foreign nationals
Femi was arrested by operatives of the EFCC following credible intelligence on his alleged fraudulent activities.
The charge against him reads, “That you, Bernard Femi Pedro sometime in March 2021, in Enugu within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, fraudulently impersonated one Rodrigo Santos from Mexico by means of your Techno WX4Pro through your fake hangout account with intent to obtain money from unsuspecting foreign nationals and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(3) (a) (b) of cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under section 22(4) of the same Act”.
The defendant pleaded guilty when the charge was read to him. Prosecution counsel, N.S Ingawa reviewed the facts of the case and urged the court to convict him accordingly.
Justice Buba convicted and sentenced Bernard to two years imprisonment with an option of One Million Naira fine.
Record of his conviction is to be sent to his school, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Akwa, Anambra state.
In a similar development, Justice Buba also convicted and sentenced one Osita Kenechukwu Igwemmadu to 2 years imprisonment with an option of one Million Naira fine, for impersonation and obtaining money under false pretences.