A FEDERAL Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has sentenced an 18-year-old man, Gregory Aiyanyor to two years in prison over internet fraud.
Justice Yusuf Halilu sentenced the convict after he pleaded guilty to a count charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
EFCC told the court that the convict on February 15 in Abuja induced five US nationals to deliver to him the sum of 5,000 US dollars through an application called ‘bitcoin.com.’
The anti-graft agency stated that the offence is contrary to section 320(b) of Penal code and punishable under section 322 of the same Act.
In sentencing the convict, Halilu held that the court has the discretion to give opportunity for the counsel and defendant to tell the mitigating factors that led the convict to the crime.
He added that such an opportunity was given and the defendant counsel prayed the court to consider the age and the fact that the convict does not have any criminal records before.
The Judge further said the defendant counsel told the court that the iPhone and N1 million proceeds from the crime has been given to the EFCC and the prosecution counsel affirmed to it.
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“The attitude of our youths call for a very serious concern. Where they just sit at the confines of their convenient living rooms to be able to lure members of the public to part with their money.
“In all that played out, I am minded to sentence the convict to a custodian Centre so that he can stay there to learn a trade and recollect himself.
“I will sentence you to two years in prison without option of fine and you shall serve this at Kuje Correctional facility.
“The iPhone used to perpetuate the crime and the said amount of money is hereby forfeited to the Federal government” he held. (NAN)