A High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has sentenced Praise Humphrey Igbo, also known as Jessica Allen, to one year in prison for internet fraud involving $115,000. Justice H.L. Abba-Aliyu delivered the ruling on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.
Igbo faced a one-count charge of internet fraud, criminal impersonation, obtaining money under false pretenses, and money laundering. According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Igbo posed as āJessica Allen,ā a fake cryptocurrency trader, to deceive an American victim, Aaron Baker.
The court was informed that Igbo fraudulently obtained 5.26 Bitcoins, valued at $115,000, through false pretenses. The act was said to contravene Section 321 of the Penal Code Act Abuja, Cap 532 LFN 2004, and is punishable under Section 324 of the same Act.
Upon arraignment, Igbo pleaded guilty to the charge. The EFCC prosecutor, M.K. Hussain, urged the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.
In her judgment, Justice Abba-Aliyu sentenced Igbo to one year imprisonment with an option of a N1 million fine. She further directed that funds recovered from the convict, as well as money found in his bank account, be used to compensate the victim through the American Embassy.
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