ICPC Secures 7 Years Conviction of Fraudsters Over Crude Oil Racketeering
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured a 7-year conviction of two fraudsters.
The convicts, Adasa Morrison and Frank Biobarakuma were arraigned sometime in March 2013 before Hon. Justice B. A. Georgewill of Rivers State High Court 16 on a 17-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, and obtaining by false pretense.
The offenses were contrary to Sections 1 and 8 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2004, and Section 467 of the Criminal Code Act, 2004.
ICPC Spokesperson, Mrs. Azuka Ogugua, in a statement on Thursday, said the convicts had earlier entered a “not guilty” plea when the charges were brought before them and that set the tone for a long legal battle.
“The Court was informed of how the convicts and others at large between the month of March 2012 and February 2013 in Port Harcourt fraudulently obtained the sum of $260,000 and $402,300 from one Mr. Jung Yongmin, a South Korean, under the pretext of selling Nigerian crude oil to him.
“However, it was only recently that the trial judge, Justice S. C. Amadi, Chief Judge of Rivers State (who inherited the case after the elevation of Justice Georgewill to the Court of Appeal) found the Convicts guilty on all 17 counts.
“In their allocates to the Court, defense counsel pleaded that the convicts were first-time offenders who have children to cater for and that the Court should consider non-custodial sentencing, which was not granted.
“Handing down judgment, Justice Amadi sentenced the duo to 3 years in prison for counts 1-4, 7 years in prison for counts 5 & 6, and 3 years in prison for counts 7-17 without any option of fine. The sentences are to run concurrently.
“The Court further advised that the South Korean Embassy (the petitioners) be informed of the judgment which is a consequence of their petition to ICPC.”
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