Kemisola Oye
JUSTICE Abike Fadipe of a Lagos Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja has sentenced a man, Nojim Opeyemi, to one-year imprisonment for possession of a document containing false pretence.
Justice Fadipe convicted the defendant on one count amended information dated 27 June and 1st July 2024 brought against him by the Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The defendant was charged with one count of amended information boarding on possession of a document containing false pretence contrary to Section 320 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The Commission alleged that “Nojim on the 1st day of July 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, had in your possession a document containing false pretence titled
Google Account printed from your email address”.
He pleaded guilty to the charge.
The EFCC prosecutor, Fanen Anum, told the court, in his review of facts, that the defendant was arrested at Reginal Annex Hotel, Aiyana Isasi, Ojo Lagos State, on 27 June 2024, and an iPhone 6 was recovered from him.
He further told the court that the analysis of the defendant’s device revealed that the defendant was in possession of several documents containing pretence
“My lord, the defendant was given an opportunity to respond to the documents printed out from his device wherein he voluntarily wrote in his statement that he has benefited $5,100 from his victims”, he said.
Justice Fadipe asked the defendant if he understood the charge against him and review of facts by the prosecuting counsel which he answered in the affirmation and said he understood it.
Fanen thereafter urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant according to his guilty plea and the iPhone 6 device should be ceded to the federal government.
The defendant’s counsel, Bridget Omatetor, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.
“My lord, the defendant pleaded guilty without wasting the time of this honourable court. He is a first-time offender and a young man, I plead for a non-custodial sentence my lord”
Justice Fadipe sentenced the defendant to one year imprisonment with an option of one million Naria and one hundred hours of community service.
“Upon the defendant’s plea of guilty to the one count and admission of the facts, the defendant is convicted and sentenced to one year imprisonment on possession of documents containing false pretence contrary to Section 320 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015”.
Eighteen-Eleven Media