The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday November 23, 2021 secured the conviction of Aguigwo Casmire Chikamso and Muhammad Ibrahim on one count charge of fraudulent impersonation before Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court, Benin City, Edo State.
The defendants had sometimes between January and April, 2021 impersonated the identities of foreign nationals with the intent to defraud unsuspecting ladies of their hard-earned money, contrary to section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48, Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (As applicable in Edo State) 1976 and punishable under the same Law.
The charge against Chikamso reads: “that you Aguigwo Casmire Chikamso (m) alias Frank Woodgate, Thomas Richard, between January and April 2021 at Uroh, Off Sapele Road, Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently personate the identity of Frank Woodgate, an American, with intent to obtain money from American ladies and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code, Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State) 1976”.
The defendants pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to them.
In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, Onyeka Eweozor and K.Y. Bello urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.
Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Chikamso and Ibrahim to three years imprisonment with an option of two hundred thousand naira fine
The Judge also ruled that items recovered from them during investigation be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.