Court Jails Musician For 6 Months For Love Scam

Justice Ramon Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced a 30-year-old musician, Richard Endurance to six months imprisonment for his involvement in an internet love scam.

Justice Oshodi handed down the verdict after the convict pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of possession of fraudulent documents.

The convict, who claimed to be a musician, was charged before the court after his arrest in December 2022 by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).

He agreed to the fact that he opted to plead guilty to the charge in a plea bargain arrangement.

Prosecuting counsel, Ayanfe Adeshina, informed the court that the EFCC received an anonymous complaint that the convict and others were living large without any legitimate means of livelihood.

He said surveillance was carried out to confirm and verify the complaints after which a raid was conducted and the convict and others were arrested by the EFCC around Lekki Palm Estate, Ajah, Lagos.

The prosecutor also claimed that upon his arrest, he was found with an IPhone 11 Pro Max and one HP laptop; his e-mail and phones were analysed and several documents were found.

While sentencing the defendant, the judge held, “The defendant is very much aware of the nature of the amended charge presented before the court.

“He admitted and pleaded guilty, thereby entering into the guilty plea voluntarily.

“Following your guilty plea and admission of the crime, I hereby convict you Richard Endurance Utomo.