The
Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, May 10, 2016
arraigned
a suspected Internet fraudster, Okeke Fred, before Justice O. Tokode of
the
Federal High Court, sitting in Benin City, Edo State on a three-count
charge bordering on Internet fraud, impersonation and possession of scam
documents.
One of
the charges reads: "That you, Okeke Fred 'M' sometime in 2015 in Benin
City, Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, had in your
possession documents containing a false representation to wit: fraudulent mails
found in your laptop, which you knew to be false and thereby committed an
offence contrary to Section 6 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related
Offences Act and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the said Act.’’
Another
charge reads: "That you, Okeke Fred 'M' sometime in 2015 in Benin City,
Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did possess
documents containing false representation that you are David Dennis, which said
representation you made to one Debbie Gallogly, which you knew to be false and
thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 of the Advance Fee Fraud and
Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under section 1 (3) of the
said Act.’’
The
accused person pleaded guilty to the charges when he was arraigned on March 24,
2016.
At the
resumed hearing on Tuesday, prosecution counsel, Usman Shehu, urged the court
to continue the review of facts which commenced at the last sitting.
However, the
defence counsel, S.C. Okehielem, quickly informed the court of the defendant's
intention to change his initial plea.
The
accused person subsequently pleaded not guilty to two of the count charges.
In view
of his plea, the prosecution counsel prayed for a date for the commencement of
trial and asked that the court order of March 24, 2016 remanding the suspect in
prison be sustained.
The
defence counsel made an oral application of bail before the court.
Justice
Tokode refused the oral application and adjourned the matter to June 7,
2016.
Wilson
Uwujaren,
Head, Media & Publicity,
May 11, 2016
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