A Nigerian lady, Deborah Okiemute who was arrested by The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC in Makurdi, has been jailed for internet fraud.
She was convicted alongside her accomplice Damisa Gideon (aka Captain Kim Lee), for offences bordering on impersonation and internet fraud. Deborah, a Benue State University graduate, was arrested in May shortly after showing off her luxurious lifestyle on Facebook.
Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday September 2, 2021 convicted and sentenced the defendants to various jail terms, having found them guilty of the separate charges brought against them by the Commission.
The charge against Deborah reads, “That you, Deborah Okiemute, sometime in November 2020, at Makurdi, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did by concealment retain the control of the sum of N471,000 , in an account domiciled in Access Bank Plc belonging to you, being the proceeds of a criminal conduct on behalf of one Nelson Irobo, knowing that the money is as a result of criminal conduct by the said Nelson Irobo and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 and punishable under Section 17(b) of the same Act”.
Damisa was accused of impersonating one Kim Lee of the US Army Air Force Base from California and obtained the sum of N11m.
The suspects confessed to the crime and Justice Obiora pronounced them guilty. Deborah Okiemute was sentenced to three years imprisonment with an option of fine of N100, 000 while Damisa was sentenced to one year imprisonment with option of fine of N500,000.00. He is to forfeit his white-coloured Mercedes Benz GLK 350 to the federal government. [Swipe]