Update: Lady arrested by EFCC shortly after posing on Facebook, sentenced to three years in prison

The Makurdi Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, September 2, 2021, has convicted and sentenced Deborah Okiemuta for offences bordering on impersonation and Internet fraud.

Recall that Mrs Okiemute, a Benue State University graduate was arrested in Malurdi for internet fraud shortly after she shared and flaunted her lavish styles on Facebook.

The charge against them reads;

“That you, Deborah Okiemute, sometime in November 2020, at Makurdi, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did by concealment retain the control of the sum of Four Hundred and Seventy One Thousand Naira (N471,000.00) only, in account No. 0102333502, domiciled in Access Bank Plc belonging to you, being the proceeds of a criminal conduct on behalf of one Nelson Irobo, knowing that the money is as a result of criminal conduct by the said Nelson Irobo and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 and punishable under Section 17(b) of the same Act”.

The defendant pleaded ‘guilty’ to their respective charges.

Following her pleas, the prosecuting counsel, Mary Onoja, reviewed the facts of the cases and tendered documents printed from their email addresses, iPhones and laptops, as well as their statements, which were admitted in evidence.

Delivering judgment, Justice Obiora said “from the totality of the evidence placed before the Court, the plea of guilt entered by the defendants as well as their statements where she confessed to the crime, the Court believes that the prosecution has proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

The judge after pronouncing her guilty sentenced Deborah Okiemute to three years in jail with an option of fine of N100, 000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira