EFCC Arraigns Fake US Army General
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on April 8, 2019 ensured the successful conviction of Uyime Omoruyi for fraudulently inducing one Mary Cuter to deliver the sum of $999 (Nine Hundred and Ninety Nine Dollars) to him.
According to reports, Omuruyi was brought to face Justice Samirah Bature of a Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court, Maitama on allegations bordering on attempted cheating and impersonation of character.
The charge reads: “That you, Uyime Omoruyi (aka Gen. Barnett Riggs Edward) sometimes in 2018 at Abuja within the Judicial Division of this Honourable Court, did attempt to cheat, by posing as a United States General Barnett Edward Riggs, an American soldier deployed to Afghanistan and fraudulently induced one Mary Cuter to deliver the sum of $999 (Nine Hundred and Ninety Nine Dollars) that the money is payment for clearance of a package with World Link Courier Service, a claim which you knew was false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 320 (a) of the Penal Code punishable under section 324 of Penal Code, laws of the Federation (Abuja) 1990.”
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The culprit Omoruyi, pleaded guilty to the one-count charge against him. Omoruyi first appeared in court on April 4, 2019.
Barrister Best Ojokwu, the Prosecuting counsel of EFCC moved the motion that Omoruyi should be sentenced accordingly as he had already pleaded guilty to the charge.
Omoruyi’s lawyer, Adachi Abel, however, pleaded on compassionate grounds, telling the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that the convict had shown remorse for his actions, and “he cooperated with investigators and helped them apprehend similar offenders”.
Justice Bature while delivering judgment noted that Omoruyi was a first-time offender and “he has saved the State from expending resources and time by pleading guilty on arraignment”.
Hence, Justice Bature convicted Omoruyi and ordered him to pay a fine of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira), in default of which, he will spend one year in Kuje Prison.
