Glory Ebomah
Justice E.A. Obile of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has convicted and sentenced Nnaemeka Chinedu (a.k.a. Gibson George) to two years imprisonment for impersonation.
He was convicted on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, after pleading “guilty” to one count bordering on impersonation upon his arraignment by the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The charge read: “That you, Nnaemeka Chinedu (a.k.a. Gibson Georgia) on or about 28th June 2021 in Ada George, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did impersonate one Gibson Georgia using LinkedIn account Gibson with the intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015, and punishable under section 22(2)(b) of the same Act”.
He pleaded “guilty” to the charge when it was read to him.
In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, O.C. Isiguzoro prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.
Justice Obile thereafter convicted and sentenced Nnaemeka to two years imprisonment with an option of a fine of Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N300, 000.00) payable into the Consolidated Revenue Fund Account of the Federation.
The Judge also ordered that the $ 2,500 (Two Thousand, Five Hundred US Dollars) recovered from the convict, in the course of the investigation, be forfeited to the Federal Government through the EFCC Recovery Account domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria.
He further ordered that the iPhone 11 which the convict used in committing the crime be also forfeited to the government.
Nnaemeka’s trouble started after he was arrested by operatives of the EFCC in a sting operation on November 10, 2021, at First Avenue, Ada George, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Investigations showed that he defrauded his victims through impersonation and other shady dealings.