Three suspected internet fraudsters arraigned before a Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have pleaded guilty to the criminal charges levelled against them.
The defendants who were brought on separate charges before Justice Adenike Akinpelu were Olopade Oladimeji Solomon, Atanda Femi Benjamin and Atoyebi Samson.
The charge against Atanda read: “That you, Atanda Femi Benjamin (alias Federer Abril), sometime in December, 2018, at Ilorin, within the judicial division of the Kwara State High Court, did attempt to cheat by personation, when you pretended to be one Federer Abril, a white Caucasin vide Gmail account: federerabril111@gmail.com and in that guise communicated with one Linda Richardson vide hangout with Linda Richardson, a representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 95 of the Penal Code and punishable Section 324 of the same Penal Code.”
The charge against Atoyebi read: “That you, Atoyebi Samson (William Grover), sometime in July, 2019, in Ilorin, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did cheat by personation when you pretended to be one William Grover a white Female with gmail account willamgrover017@gmail.com, and fraudulently deceived Charles Wood, an American citizen, to send $500.00 (Two Hundred Dollar) worth of gift card after you made him believe you were a girl in love with him and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 321 of the Penal Code and punishable under section 324 of the same Penal Code.”
They pleaded guilty to the charges.
Counsels to the EFCC, Sesan Ola and Andrew Akoja, therefore urged the court to convict the defendants in accordance with their pleas.
Justice Akinpelu adjourned till March 17 for judgement and ordered the accused persons to be remanded in the custody of the EFCC.