The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, March 17, secured the conviction and sentencing of an internet fraudster, Akintunde Vincent Abiodun, a.k.a. Christopher Williams, bya Lagos State High Court, sitting in Ikeja and presided over by Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye.
The 37-year-old was arraigned on January 23, on an amended 12-count charge of stealing and forgery to the tune of N7,806,093.00.
Abiodun’s walk to jail began after he presented himself as Christopher Williams to his victim, D. Bonni, whom he met on a dating site on the internet.
The convict, as part of his tricks, had told Bonni that he inherited gemstones worth $18,050,000 from his late father in the United Kingdom.
He also forged an American passport with which he convinced his victim of his purported nationality.
Consequently, the convict dishonestly received various sums of money, at different times, from his victim.
When he was arraigned, he pleaded not guilty to the charges, when they were read to him, thereby setting the stage for his trial.
The prosecution counsel, Ola Sesan, tendered several documents that were admitted in evidence and presented witnesses, who testified against the accused.
In view of this, the convict later filed an application for plea bargaining before the court.
Delivering his judgment today, Justice Ipaye, found the convict guilty and jailed him three years each on counts 1 to 11 of stealing.
The convict was also found guilty of and jailed three years for count 12 of forgery.
The sentences are to run concurrently from the date of arraignment.
