Siblings jailed for duping citizens of the United States

ABUJA, Nigeria – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) on Monday arraigned two brothers, Solomon and Godspower Nwachukwu before Justice I. U. Bello of the Federal High Court, Abuja, sitting in Bwari on separate one-count amended charge, bordering on cyber crime and obtaining money under false pretence.

Prosecution counsel, Maryam Aminu Ahmed, had prayed the court to amend the charge, dated September 27, 2019.

The new charge proffered against Godspower reads: “That you, Gospower Nwachukwu sometime in April 2016 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honorable court fraudulently induced one Matthew Scott, a citizen of United States of America to deliver the sum of $1,900 to you through bitcoin online payment and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 320 (a) of the Penal Code, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 (Abuja) and punishable under Section 322 of the same law.”

The new charge against Solomon reads: “That you, Engr.  Nwachukwu Solomon sometime in April 2016 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, fraudulently induced one Janet Allen, a citizen of the United States of America to deliver the sum of N230,000   to you via www.linkedin.com and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 320 (a) of the Penal Code, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 (Abuja) and punishable under Section 322 of the same law.”

The defendants pleaded guilty to the amended charges, when they were read to them. Thereafter, the Defence counsel, Abaji Abel did not object to the amended charges, but urged the judge to temper justice with mercy as his clients were remorseful.

He pleaded that the defendants being first-time offenders should be given a second chance, especially as they have already forfeited all proceeds of the crime traced to them, including a iPhoneX to the federal government, following a plea bargain agreement.