The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned a suspected internet fraudster, Okeke Fred, before Justice O. Tokode of the Federal High Court, sitting in Benin City, Edo State.
The man was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on Internet fraud, impersonation and possession of scam documents.
One of the charges reads: “That you, Okeke Fred ‘M’ sometime in 2015 in Benin City, Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, had in your possession documents containing a false representation to wit: fraudulent mails found in your laptop, which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the said Act.’’
Another charge reads: “That you, Okeke Fred ‘M’ sometime in 2015 in Benin City, Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did possess documents containing false representation that you are David Dennis, which said representation you made to one Debbie Gallogly, which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under section 1 (3) of the said Act.”
The accused person pleaded guilty to the charges when he was arraigned on March 24, 2016.
At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, prosecution counsel, Usman Shehu, urged the court to continue the review of facts which commenced at the last sitting.
However, the defence counsel, S.C. Okehielem, quickly informed the court of the defendant’s intention to change his initial plea.
The accused person subsequently pleaded not guilty to two of the count charges.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel prayed for a date for the commencement of trial and asked that the court order of March 24, 2016 remanding the suspect in prison be sustained.
The defence counsel made an oral application of bail before the court.
Justice Tokode refused the oral application and adjourned the matter to June 7, 2016.
