Justice I.M Sani of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Thursday, July 4, 2019 convicted and sentenced Louis Idehen Osahumen to 10 months imprisonment for internet- related offences.
Osahumen was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Port Harcourt’s Zonal Office, on one-count charge bordering on impersonation, contrary to Section 22(3) (a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 punishable under Section 22(4) of the same Act.
The count charge read: “That you, Louis Idehen Osahumen (A.K.A Cheng Louis), on or about December 2018, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court fraudulently impersonated one Cheng Louis, a United States of America Soldier, with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(3) (a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 punishable under Section 22(4) of the same Act”.
He pleaded ‘guilty’ to the one- count charge.
In view of his plea, prosecuting counsel, S. Chime, prayed the court to convict and sentence him accordingly. However, defence counsel, D.E Ibiama, pleaded with the court for leniency.
Justice Sani convicted and sentenced Osahumen to ten (10) months imprisonment without an option of fine.
Osahumen’s journey to prison began when the EFCC received an intelligence report alleging a case of impersonation, possession of scam documents and obtaining money by false pretence against him.
Investigation showed that the convict scammed some Chinese women in 2018 with his Samsung GalaxyJ5 and Airtel Simcard number 09021045826 through Wechat with a username “chenlouis”.
The convict confessed impersonating a United States of American soldier whom he regularly used as a decoy to defraud his victims.