By : Emmanuel Oti Acheampong
Henry Nathaniel Ekanem, a final-year student at the University of Port Harcourt, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for internet fraud.
Justice A.T. Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt delivered the sentence on Wednesday, October 30, 2024. Ekanem faced a seven-count charge from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which accused him of obtaining funds under false pretenses.
According to court records, Ekanem defrauded multiple victims, including one Diana Roskov, by impersonating Coran Capsha, the manager of American singer Chris Stapleton. He used social media platforms, including WhatsApp and Instagram, to lure his victims into believing in fake business opportunities, obtaining $22 from Roskov.
After pleading guilty to all charges, Ekanem’s defense counsel, F.T. Fred-Boufini, requested leniency, citing Ekanem’s lack of prior criminal history. However, the prosecution, led by A. Abubakar, pushed for a conviction to serve as a deterrent.
Justice Mohammed ruled that Ekanem would serve two years for each count, totaling 14 years. Ekanem was also given the option to pay a fine of 200,000 Naira per count. Additionally, all phones seized from him, believed to be instruments of the crime, were forfeited to the government.