In a verdict delivered on Thursday, the Gwagwalada Division of the FCT High Court sentenced Jayeola Goodnews, a 19-year-old student, to six months’ imprisonment for defrauding an American woman of $540.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged Mr. Goodnews with fraud, to which he pleaded guilty. Pleading for leniency, he received an alternative sentence of a N200,000 fine from Justice Aliyu Shafa.
Additionally, Justice Shafa directed that the recovered $540 be forfeited to the federal government through the EFCC. Prior to sentencing, the defendant expressed remorse, acknowledging his wrongdoing and pledging not to repeat such actions in the future.
“I am sorry for committing the crime, and I will not do such again. I was introduced to internet fraud by my cousin, and I promise not to do that again,” he pleaded.
The defence counsel, Nnamdi Akuneto, in support of the allocutus by the convict, told the court that the convict has been remorseful and regrets his actions.
Mr Akuneto pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.
The prosecution counsel, Daniel Iloakasia, told the court that the convict and his counsel had entered and signed a plea bargain on May 22.
Mr Iloakasia told the court that the convict defrauded a U.S. citizen, Michelle, of $540 sometime in 2023.
The prosecutor said the convict who presented himself as Lee Kwagsoo, an actor, used the Google account [email protected].
He said the offence contravened section 320(a) and punishment under section 322 of the Penal Code Cap 532 of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
In an application, the prosecutor asked the court to order the forfeiture of the $540 recovered from the convict.
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