The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on April 8, 2019 secured the conviction of one Uyime Omoruyi for fraudulently inducing one Mary Cuter to deliver the sum of $999 (Nine Hundred and Ninety Nine Dollars) to him. Gistvic Reports.
Omuruyi was arraigned before
Justice Samirah Bature of a Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court,
Maitama on an amended charge bordering on attempted cheating and
impersonation.
The charge reads: “That you, Uyime Omoruyi (aka
Gen. Barnett Riggs Edward) sometimes in 2018 at Abuja within the
Judicial Division of this Honourable Court, did attempt to cheat, by
posing as a United States General Barnett Edward Riggs, an American
soldier deployed to Afghanistan and fraudulently induced one Mary Cuter
to deliver the sum of $999 (Nine Hundred and Ninety Nine Dollars) that
the money is payment for clearance of a package with World Link Courier
Service, a claim which you knew was false and thereby committed an
offence contrary to section 320 (a) of the Penal Code punishable under
section 324 of Penal Code, laws of the Federation (Abuja) 1990.” Gistvic
Reports.
Omoruyi, who was first arraigned on April 4, 2019, pleaded “guilty” to the amended charge after it was read to him.
Prosecuting counsel, Best Ojukwu, thereafter, prayed the court to sentence the defendant, accordingly.
Defence
counsel, Adachi Abel, however, prayed the court to temper justice with
mercy, stating that the convict had shown remorse for his actions, and
“he cooperated with investigators and helped them apprehend similar
offenders”.
While delivering judgement, Justice Bature noted that
the convict was a first-time offender and “he has saved the State from
expending resources and time by pleading guilty on arraignment”.
The trial judge, thus convicted him and handed him a fine of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira), in default of which, he will spend one year in Kuje Prison.
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