A Nigerian, Patrick Ezeji, has been sentenced to two years imprisonment by an Ikeja High Court sitting in Lagos State, for defrauding a Canadian woman, Sheila Griffiths, of $32, 220, after dating her on social media.
As stated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the 25-year-old online scammer was arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy to steal and stealing, after he had promised to refund the lady's money but failed to do so, refunding only $2,220 out of the $32,220.
While delivering sentence, Justice Kudirat Jose, stated the punishment should serve as a deterrent to youths who might want to tow the path of crime.
“I am of the view that young people should desist from deceiving people to part with their hard-earned money. The defendant is hereby sentenced to two years in prison; the sentence starts from the first day of the judgment. This should serve as a deterrent to other young people considering a life of crime," she ruled.
However, Ezeji's counsel, Victor Okpara, says the young man had just been admitted to study Political Science at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), at the time he was arrested and being a first time offender, should be left off the hook as he has learnt his lessons.