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19-yr-old Nigerian jailed 37 yrs for duping American of $40 million

Published

8 years ago

March 17, 2016

19-yr-old Nigerian jailed 37 yrs for duping American of $40 million

A 19-year-old secondary school leaver, Tobechukwu Igbokwe has been sentenced to 37 years by Justice Lateef Lawal of a Lagos High Court for duping an American to the tune of $40 million in an inheritance scam.

The accused was arraigned on Monday, October 28, 2013 and pleaded not guilty to the 12-count charges bordering on forgery, conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretences pressed against him.

Justice Lateef found him guilty on all 12-counts and sentenced him accordingly. He was sentenced to 7 years on counts 1-8; 8years on count 9; 7years on count 10, 8years on count 11 and 7 years on count 12, making a cumulative of 37years imprisonment.

The sentence is to run concurrently with effect from October 28, 2013.

The accused who pleaded not guilty later changed his plea to “guilty” and was convicted by Justice Lateef accordingly.

As a restitution, the court ordered Tobechukwu to return the $40 million to the victim and forfeit a Toyota Corolla car- a proceed of the crime, to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

However, defense counsel, D. A. Omougbai prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, since Igbokwe has shown enough remorse for the offences he committed.

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