CRIME
Ibadan Court Jails Three For Internet Fraud

From Dele Ogunyemi, Ibadan
Three persons were on Thursday found guilty of criminal impersonation by the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division, and sentenced to prison terms.
The trio – Augustine Ekeson, Obinna Ureahi Ifeanyi and Osho Olalekan Micheal – were convicted in cases filed against them by the Ibadan zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Justice Patricia Ajoku, after considering the facts of an amended one-count charge against Obinna and Ifeanyi, pronounced them guilty and sentenced them to two years imprisonment each.
The duo had earlier been arraigned on a three-count charge based on the allegations raised against them in a petition received from one Mobolade Dele Akinbuluma, a Doctoral student of the University of Ibadan.
Akinbuluma alleged that the accused hacked into her email account to misrepresent themselves as staff of a Kenyan university where she was to undertake a study as part of her doctorate programme.
She was, in the process, defrauded of N875,490 (Eight hundred and seventy five thousand four hundred and ninety Naira). The duo pleaded not-guilty to the charge, but later approached the EFCC for a plea bargain.
Following an agreement on the terms of the plea bargain, they were re-arraigned on Thursday, on a one-count amended charge.The latest charge read: “That you Augustine Ekeson M and Obinna Ureahl Ifeanyi on or about the 3rd of December 2015, at Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did conspire amongst yourself to commit felony to wit: fraudulently impersonated one Mrs. Lillian Igweta, a secretary to Professor Torto with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) (b) of the cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22(4) of the same Act”.
They pleaded guilty to the charge, prompting a prayer by the EFCC counsel, Ifeanyi Agwu, for their conviction.The presiding judge accordingly sentenced them to two years imprisonment each.
Meanwhile, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, equally of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, also jailed Osho on Thursday for an internet-related offence.
Osho was found guilty of falsely representing himself to be an American citizen named Jack, using same to defraud one Maria.He was sentenced to six months in prison and ordered to make restitution of $200 (two hundred United States Dollars) to his victim. The jail term takes effect from April 3, 2019, day he was arrested.He is also to forfeit to the Federal Government of Nigeria items recovered from him in the course of investigation.
CRIME
Woman, 31, Docked Over Alleged Theft of iPhone Worth N500,000

A 31-year-old woman, Opeyemi Bakare, on Tuesday appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing an iPhone valued at N500,000.
Bakare, of undisclosed address, was charged with two counts of conspiracy and stealing .
The prosecutor, Insp Iyabo Oladoyin, told the court that the defendant and others at large conspired and committed the offences on May 2 at 3.
30 p. m. in the Dugbe area of Ibadan.According to Oladoyin, the defendant stole an iPhone 12 valued at N505,000, belonging to the complainant, Mr Oluseyi Oba.
The prosecutor said the phone was stolen in Dugbe Market and was tracked to the defendant.
She said the offences contravened Sections 390 (9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Mrs T.G. Daodu, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of one million naira with two sureties in like sum.
Daodu thereafter adjourned the case until July 8 for hearing. (NAN)
A 31-year-old woman, Opeyemi Bakare, on Tuesday appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing an iPhone valued at N500,000.
Bakare, of undisclosed address, was charged with two counts of conspiracy and stealing .
The prosecutor, Insp Iyabo Oladoyin, told the court that the defendant and others at large conspired and committed the offences on May 2 at 3.30 p.m. in the Dugbe area of Ibadan.
According to Oladoyin, the defendant stole an iPhone 12 valued at N505,000, belonging to the complainant, Mr Oluseyi Oba.
The prosecutor said the phone was stolen in Dugbe Market and was tracked to the defendant.
She said the offences contravened Sections 390 (9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Mrs T.G. Daodu, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of one million naira with two sureties in like sum.
Daodu thereafter adjourned the case until July 8 for hearing. (NAN)
CRIME
Prostitute Docked for Allegedly Stabbing Her Colleague

A 40 – year old prostitute, Adeosun Adepeju was on Tuesday arraigned before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stabbing her colleague in the stomach during work period.
Adepeju of undisclosed address was standing trial on a count charge bordering on assault.
She pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Prosecuting Counsel, Cpl.
Helen Ojo told the court that Adepeju on May 21, at about 12:30 a.m., at Ring road area, Ibadan, stabbed her colleague, Stella Mago with scissors in her stomach.Ojo said that the stabbing caused the complainant bodily harm.
She added that the offence contravened Section 335 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.
The Magistrate, Mrs M. M. Olagbenro admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N300, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Olagbenro adjourned the matter until May 30, for hearing. (NAN)
CRIME
Man, 56, Bags Life Jail Term for Defiling His Stepdaughter

A High Court sitting in Ado-EKiti on Monday sentenced one Jayeoba Oluwafemi, 56, to life imprison for defiling his 14 year old stepdaughter.
The 56 year old convict was arraigned before Justice Adekunle Adeleye on Dec. 4, 2020 on one count charge of defilement.
The charge reads that the defendant on Oct.
26, 2020 at Ado Ekiti defiled a fourteen year old girl (names withheld), which is contrary to Section 31 (2) of the Child’s Right Law, Cap. C7, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.The victim’s testimony before the Court said, “my mother got married to the defendant, we were not living together but he used to sleep in our house especially when my mother was not at home or travelled.“ On Oct. 26, 2020, my mother travelled to Lagos and the defendant slept in our house, at midnight he forcefully had sex with me and thereafter, blood was gushing out of my virgina. I called my mother the following morning to inform her but the defendant denied.“ He continued this act anytime my mother was not around, I used to tell my mother on her arrival but she did nothing about it.When he noticed that I was telling my mother about his continuous sexual activity with me, he started threatening me.
“ One day, he wanted to beat me and I ran out of the house, I met one woman on the road, I told her what happened and she directed me to the governor’s office to lodge official complain which led to his arrest,” she concluded.
To prove his case, the Prosecutor, Julius Ajibare called six witnesses and tendered the defendant’s statement and medical report as exhibits.
The defendant was also represented by his defense counsel, Oladele Adedeji who called one witness.
In his judgment, Justice Adekunle Adeleye said, “ I am of the humble view that the sexual intercourse sessions were on several occasions, it was not a one off affair.
“ And upon careful analysis of the entire circumstance of this case, the change in story or outright denial by the defendant is an afterthought.
“ The prosecution has established the offence of defilement against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt. He is accordingly found guilty as charged and hereby sentenced to life imprison as provided for under the provisions of Section 31 (2) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap. C7, Law of Ekiti State, 2012. (NAN)