Justice Emeka Nwite, of the Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, yesterday found Joan Uruvbu (alias Jay Jay) guilty on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and intent to defraud and sentenced him to two years imprisonment.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Joan Uruvbu (alias Jay Jay) Daniel Mercedes, Paul Tommy and Sally (all at large) between 2018 and 2019 in Benin City within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire to use attached E-mail to obtain personal identification information of others online to use same to file fraudulent tax returns with the Inland Revenue Service (IRS) of the United States of America ( USA) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section (27)(b) of the cybercrime (prohibtion prevention etc) Act ,2015 and punishable under Section 36(1) of the same Act.”
The counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), L.P. Aso prayed the court that the defendant be convicted and sentenced accordingly. However, the defence counsel, John Okhihiegbe, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendant was a first-time offender, a youth who had a future ahead of her and has shown remorse.
Justice Emeka Nwite, however ,convicted and sentenced the defendant to two years in prison commencing from the date of arrest or a fine of N1million. All items recovered from the defendant are to be forfeited and restitution made to her victims. Justice Nwite also ruled that the convict signs an undertaking to be of good behavior henceforth.
