A Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State on Wednesday, arraigned three internet fraudsters, also known as ‘Yahoo boys’ for engaging in cyber crimes.
One of the suspects; Segun Isaac (a Polytechnic student duped his victims under the name Tracie Morgan); Olamide O. Samuel and Afolabi Wasiu.
They were charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commisison, EFCC, for obtaining under false pretence, an offence contrary to Section 22(3) (b) and punishable under Section 22(4) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act 2015. Isaac and Olamide were initially on two-count and five-count charges respectively, while Afolabi was originally arraigned on an eight-count charge.
The Commission agreed to replace the original charges with a one count charge after their lawyer, Beauty Ekah, led them to a plea bargain in order to persuade the court to temper justice with mercy.
Isaac’s charge, which reflects others’ tone, reads: “That you Segun Isaac (aka Tracie Morgan, Cara Coppedge) sometime in 2019, at Ibadan within the Ibadan jurisdiction of this Honorable court, fraudulently impersonated one Tracie Morgan a white female via your email traciemorgan997@gmail.com thorough a computer system and network to one Alan in order to obtain the sum of USD $600 (Six hundred United States of America Dollars) and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 22 (3)(b) and punishable under Section 22(4) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc)Act,2015.
Justice P.I. Ajoku In ruling sentenced the suspects to four months jail term for involving in cyber-related crimes.