An Ikeja Special Offences Court has convicted and sentenced Ndidi Joshua Bobby to 42 years’ imprisonment for internet fraud involving false identity claims and obtaining money under false pretence.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe found the defendant guilty on multiple counts filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Bobby was prosecuted by the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 on charges bordering on stealing and possession of fraudulent documents linked to €80,000.
According to the prosecution, the convict, in 2020, falsely posed as “Prince Louis” to defraud a victim, Sabine Sigrid Osterlehner, and dishonestly converted the funds for personal use.
Initially arraigned in December 2021 on a two-count charge, the case was later expanded to six counts under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act.
During trial, which began in February 2022, the prosecution presented two witnesses and tendered documentary evidence to support its case. Although the defendant pleaded not guilty and filed a no-case submission, the court dismissed the application and ordered him to open his defence.
In her ruling, Justice Abike-Fadipe held that the prosecution had established the case beyond reasonable doubt.
“The evidence before this court clearly establishes the guilt of the defendant,” she stated.
The court sentenced Bobby to seven years’ imprisonment on each of the six counts, to run concurrently, amounting to a total of 42 years.
Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of all items recovered from the convict to the Federal Government, describing them as instruments used in committing the crime.
“The law does not permit the retention of proceeds or tools of crime,” the judge ruled.
Elijah Adeyemi
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