Justice S. M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court sitting in Benin City on Thursday, March 31, 2022, convicted and sentenced Samson Obademi to five years imprisonment for fraud.
Obademi was arraigned on one count charge of impersonation by the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC.
The charge against him reads, “that you Samson Obademi (M) sometime between January and 23rd April 2021 at Owo, Ondo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently impersonate the identity of Steven Sammy, an American with intent to obtain money and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2) (b) (ii) of Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention, etc) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22(2) (b) (iv) of the same Act”.
Upon arraignment the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge.
In view of his pleas, the prosecution counsel, K. U. Udus prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly. However, the defence counsel, O.J Semudara urged the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendant has become remorseful for his action.
Justice Shuaibu convicted and sentenced the defendant to five years imprisonment with an option of Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N300, 000) fine.
In addition, the defendant shall forfeit his mobile phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria and undertake in writing to be of good behavior henceforth.