October 12, (THEWILL) – The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two Nigerians, Ukhuriegbe Glory Irekpitan and Onyekwa Joshua Chinedum, for impersonation.
The suspects are alleged to have impersonated Anthony Joshua, the British boxer of Nigerian descent, to defraud two ladies of £10,000 and £5, 491.23 in London.
They were arraigned before Justice S. M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court sitting in Benin city on a two-count charge of impersonation.
One of the counts reads: “that you Onyekwe Joshua Chinedum (a.k.a Anthony Joshua) sometime in 2019 did with intent to defraud sent electronic messages which materially misrepresent facts to Samantha Johnson, a lady in London which messages she relied upon and which made her to suffer financial loss in the sum of £10,000 thereby committing an offence punishable under section 14 (2) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention, Etc) Act 2015”.
One of the counts against Ukhuriegbe Glory Irekpitan reads: “That you Ukhuriegbe Glory Irekpitan sometime in 2018 did with intent to defraud sent electronic messages which materially misrepresent facts to Mrs Zahra Bagun, a lady in London which messages she relied on and which caused her to suffer the financial loss in the sum of £5,491.23 pounds, equivalent of N2,306,220 and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 14(2) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention, Etc) Act 2015.”
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, I.M. Elody, to ask for a trial date.
He also asked the court to remand the two accused in the custody of the correctional service.
However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to remand them in EFCC custody, a move that was opposed by the EFCC counsel.
Justice Shuaibu adjourned the case till October 21, 2021, and ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Benin City.
About the Author
