Court sentences man to four months imprisonment over cybercrime

Etim Ekpimah

Justice Hannatu A.L Balogun of Kaduna State High Court, Kaduna has convicted and sentenced one Innocent Arzuka to four months imprisonment on four counts that bordered on cheating by impersonation.

The convict was arrested during a sting operation following intelligence on his alleged involvement in cybercrime.

Investigation revealed that he fraudulently hacked into Facebook accounts of unsuspecting persons, and used the accounts, after editing them to suit his requirements, to prospect for would-be victims of his fraud schemes.

One of the charges brought against him reads: “that you Innocent Arzuka (M) between January to August, 2021 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, attempted to commit an offence and in such attempt did a certain act towards the Commission of the said offence, to wit: falsely presented yourself as Flizzy Xi ( a woman) in order to cheat Innocent victims and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law of Law of 2017 and punishable under Section 309 of the same Law.”

Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren said the convict pleaded guilty to the charges.

Based on his plea, the prosecution counsel, M. E Eimonye urged the Court to convict the defendant accordingly.

Justice Balogun consequently convicted and sentenced the defendant to 4 months imprisonment with an option of N 100,000 fine.