A social media influencer, Aluko Tunmise was on Wednesday, May 15 sentenced to jail by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Tunmise, a social media influencer and model, is to spend one-year in prison for scamming.
According to report, Tunmise was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC on a one-count charge of cybercrimes.
The report stated that Tunmise took on a false identity in Lagos between January and March 2024.
The charge read in part; ‘‘You held yourself out as a white man by name “KEANU REEVES” on your Telegram Account. Knowing same to be false and with the intent that the representation is relied upon to procure the issuance of financial instrument to yourself. And thereby, committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(3) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act, 2015.”
Upon reading the charge to him, Tunmise pleaded “guilty” to the charge.
With the admission of guilt, the prosecution counsel C.C. Okezie sought to present an EFCC operative, Vincent Kwambuge, to review the facts of the matter.
Kwanbuge told the court that the defendant was arrested in March 2024 at Lekki County Estate, Lagos. This was following credible intelligence from the Commission on the activities of some internet fraudsters operating in the area.
According to EFCC counsel, an iPhone 12 Pro Max was recovered from the defendant at the point of arrest.
The prosecution counsel also told the court that “he was duly processed upon his arrest, and the defendant volunteered his statements.
“The investigation was conducted, and forensic evidence was printed from his phone.
“In his statement, he confessed to being involved in a celebrity scam, which involves impersonating celebrities.”
Therefore, Okezie sought to introduce the defendant’s extra-judicial statements, iPhone, and forensic investigation documents as evidence.
“Justice Aneke admitted them as exhibits.
Counsel to the defendant, A.O. Idowu, however, prayed the court for leniency. He said that the defendant “is a first-time offender and is sorry for his actions.”
Idowu also prayed the court for a non-custodial sentence.
Delivering his judgment, Justice Aneke convicted and sentenced the defendant to one year imprisonment. He was, however, given an option of a fine of N300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira). And also 100 hours of community service.
Aneke also ordered his mobile phone to be forfeited to the Nigerian Federal Government.
source: Premium Times
