For allegedly
defrauding an American lady, Kathy Lunsford through the internet under the
pretext of marriage, a University of Lagos student, Michael Opaleye has been
sent to jail by a Lagos State High Court
defrauding an American lady, Kathy Lunsford through the internet under the
pretext of marriage, a University of Lagos student, Michael Opaleye has been
sent to jail by a Lagos State High Court
Opaleye was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment today by Justice
Aishat Opesanwo for defrauding Miss Kathy Lunsford, of 9,200 US dollars under
the pretext of getting married to her.
Aishat Opesanwo for defrauding Miss Kathy Lunsford, of 9,200 US dollars under
the pretext of getting married to her.
The convict who is studying computer science at UNILAG had
pleaded guilty to the charge of obtaining by false pretence and forgery.
He had entered into a plea bargain deal with the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) and offered to pay back the money to his
victim.
Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) and offered to pay back the money to his
victim.
The judge in her judgment, said the sentence would commence on
15 March when he was first arraigned before the court.
15 March when he was first arraigned before the court.
She also ordered Opaleye after his release from prison,to pay
N100,000 monthly to the victim through the EFCC until he refunded the total
amount involved in the scam.
N100,000 monthly to the victim through the EFCC until he refunded the total
amount involved in the scam.
The convict is also to forfeit the electronic appliances and
other items purchased with the proceeds of the crime, which were recovered from
his house during the investigation, to the EFCC.
other items purchased with the proceeds of the crime, which were recovered from
his house during the investigation, to the EFCC.
EFCC counsel, Mr Anselem Ozioko said Opaleye had between 2008
and 2011, swindled Lunsford by making a phoney marriage proposal to her through
e-mail.
and 2011, swindled Lunsford by making a phoney marriage proposal to her through
e-mail.
He said Lunsford had sent Opaleye the said amount as part of his
travelling expenses from the United Kingdom to the United States of America to
facilitate their marriage.
travelling expenses from the United Kingdom to the United States of America to
facilitate their marriage.
Ozioko said the defendant forged a Nigeria drivers Licence No.
WWD24174AAJ, which he claimed was issued by the Federal Road Safety Commission
(FRSC).
WWD24174AAJ, which he claimed was issued by the Federal Road Safety Commission
(FRSC).
He said the Opaleye forged a bank draft which he claimed was
issued by the Bank of Ireland, Dublin.
issued by the Bank of Ireland, Dublin.
The offences according to him had contravened Sections 419 and
467 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State 2003.
467 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State 2003.
