Ugwu Pascal Chijioke and Ibrahim Adekunle, two individuals who impersonated members of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), were sentenced to seven years in prison each by Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of an Ikeja Special Offences Court yesterday.
According to reports, the prisoners also tried to utilise a fake court order to deceitfully take property from their victims by posing as EFCC representatives.
The court heard the suspects’ arraignment on a five-count accusation.
The offences include taking property from citizens, possessing documents titled the Chief Magistrate Court or the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with false pretences, impersonating EFCC officials, and wearing EFCC uniforms without authorization.
Upon reading the allegations, the defendants entered a guilty plea to all five counts.
Abdulhamid Lamido, the prosecutor, urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants in accordance with their guilty plea.
What they’re saying
“My Lord, in light of the defendants’ guilty pleas and the evidence presented in court, I implore You to find the defendant guilty and to sentence him appropriately.
” The defendants were asked if they understood the allegations to which they had entered a guilty plea by Justice Abike-Fadipe. The defendants gave a yes response. The defendants were found guilty by Justice Abike-Fadipe of the crime of “attempt to obtain properties by false pretence.”
Bottom line
The prisoners begged the judge for pity and made a vow never to commit crimes again in their plea for leniency.
The first defendant not only asserted that they were rejuvenated individuals, but also that they had undergone training and turned into a barber.
