Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced one Babatunde Rufai, also known as Richard Abben, to nine months in prison for internet fraud.
This was contained in a press statement by the acting spokesperson, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Tony Orilade, Thursday in Abuja.
According to the spokesperson, “The convict, who is the owner and promoter of “Wear It All Boutique” in Lekki, Lagos, was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal office, on March 5, 2020, on a three-count charge bordering on stealing and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of $5,000 (about N2million).”
He said the defendant pleaded guilty to the charges and the Counsel for the EFCC, Hamed Yerima, further informed the court of a plea bargain agreement entered with the defence team.
He said the counsel urged the court to adopt same and sentence the defendant based on the terms of the agreement.
Orilade said Justice Taiwo adopted the terms of the plea bargain and convicted the defendant accordingly, noting that while delivering her judgement Justice Taiwo held that: “I am mindful of this type of crime in our society, which is giving our country a bad image all over the world.
“However, in view of the plea bargain agreement, the defendant is hereby sentenced to nine months in prison, with an option of fine of N400,000 to be paid to the account of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the office of the EFCC.”
He said the Judge also ordered that the three exotic cars recovered from the convict be forfeited to the federal government.
