The Federal High Court in Kaduna has handed down convictions and prison sentences to Onah Henry Chinonso, also known as Sandra Morales, and Puklong Michael Longhom, known as Robertech, for engaging in internet fraud.
The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission prosecuted them separately on charges related to criminal impersonation on social media.
Chinonso’s charge stated, “You, Onah Henry Chinonso (a.k.a Sandra Morales), male, sometime in May 2024 in Jos, Plateau State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one Sandra Morales (a female American, residing in Miami, United States) on ‘Facebook’ (an online social media application), with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2)(b)(i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22(2)(b)(iv) of the same Act.”
Longhom’s charge read, “You, Puklong Michael Longhom (a.k.a Robertech), sometime in May 2024 in Jos, Plateau State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one Robertech (a Tech expert) on social media platform (Instagram Application) with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2)(b)(i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22(2)(b)(iv) of the same Act.”
Both defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges.
The prosecution counsel, Musa Usman Gadaka, accompanied by Mariya Nasaude Usman and Fatima Ustaz Usman, urged the court to proceed with conviction and sentencing.
Justice R.M. Aikawa subsequently sentenced Chinonso to five years imprisonment or a fine of N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira).
Longhom received a four-year prison sentence or a fine of N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) for his role in the crime.
