Court Jails Nollywood Actor Bolanle Ninalowo’s Impersonate & Two Others (Watch Video)
According to a report released on Monday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), three Internet fraudsters were jailed after pleading guilty to separate counts of impersonation and acquiring money under false pretense.
Onukwugha Favour, Lawrence David, and Omoghan Destiny Igbinosa were found guilty and given sentences on Friday by Judge Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, according to a statement from the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren.
Igbinosa is accused of “fraudulently impersonating the Identity of NINALOWO BOLANLE, a Nollywood Actor by fraudulently sending documents to one NEWON QUANON through the internet which documents you claim emanated from the said NINALOWO BOLANLE with the intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offense,” according to the charge (Prohibition Prevention, etc.)
The charge against Favour reads as follows: You, ONUKWUGHA FAVOUR, did fraudulently impersonate the identity of MARIAH_ 1812, a citizen of the United States of America, sometime between 2021 and 2022 at Benin, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court by fraudulently sending documents to unwitting victims through the internet which documents you claim emanated from the said MARIAH_ 1812 with the intent to obtain money and thereby committed an offense contrary to
According to Uwujaren, at their arraignment, the defendants admitted guilt to each charge brought against them, and the prosecution’s attorney, I.M. Elodi, asked the court to find them guilty and sentence them appropriately.
The defence counsel, A.J. Onwuanaje and Dickson Egberume, reportedly pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, saying the defendants had become remorseful for their actions.
“Justice Abang convicted and sentenced Igbinosa to two years imprisonment or a fine of One Million Naira. The defendant is also to forfeit the sum of $2,235.00 and his mobile phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“The duo of Favour and David bagged one year imprisonment each or a fine of N500,000 and N200,000 respectively. They are also to forfeit their phones to the Federal Government of Nigeria and to undertake in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth,” the statement read.