Justice A.A Isiaka of the Kaduna State High Court has sentenced a fake American, Stephen Thomas, to five years imprisonment for impersonation and fraud.
Thomas, who pleaded guilty, was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison or a fine of N150,000. He also forfeited his phone and $100 to the federal government.
In a related development, the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two others, Bashiru Adamu and Yushau Mohammed Ahmed, before the State High Court and Federal High Court respectively.
Adamu is facing charges of failure to declare assets, criminal breach of trust, and obtaining money by false pretence, while Ahmed is charged with failure to declare his assets.
Adamu allegedly obtained N25 million from a retired Brigadier General, JA Faransa, by falsely representing himself as capable of securing and delivering a Toyota Hilux vehicle. Ahmed failed to declare his assets, including a plot of land in Abuja, when completing the Declaration of Assets Form.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty and were remanded in a Correctional centre, with their cases adjourned for trial and bail applications.
The EFCC prosecutor, M. J. Arugungu, urged the court to convict and sentence Thomas accordingly, given his guilty plea. Justice Isiaka thereafter convicted and sentenced him to five years imprisonment or a fine of N150,000.
The cases are part of the EFCC’s efforts to combat fraud and corruption in the country. The commission has been working tirelessly to investigate and prosecute cases of economic and financial crimes.
The sentences and arraignments serve as a warning to those engaged in fraudulent activities, and demonstrate the commitment of the EFCC to bringing criminals to justice.
The cases will continue in the coming weeks, with the prosecution presenting evidence and witnesses to prove their case against the defendants.
