After being convicted of falsely pretending to be an American lawyer, a former student of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Francis Nduka, was, yesterday, sentenced to two years imprisonment by an Ikeja Special Offences Court.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TheNigerialawyer-WhatsApp-Channel1.jpg")
The court, presided over by Justice Ramon Oshodi, sentenced Nduka, who is an internet fraudster, who posed as a lawyer, and at other times as a Yoga therapist and defrauded unsuspecting victims of $3,700. The judge arrived at the decision after the convict, who said he has been into romance and scams since 2020, pleaded guilty to the charge made against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Justice Oshodi also ordered the forfeiture of the items that were recovered from the convict to the Federal Government.
It would be recalled that Nduka was docked on a two-count of procurement of fraudulent documents and fraud instituted against him by the anti-graft agency. While the convict was being arraigned, the Commission, through its counsel, Mrs. Orhieoghene Adewunmi, told the court that the convict, on April 27, 2022, fraudulently procured a document and pretended to be a lawyer named, Richard Ratz, adding that the alleged offence took place in the Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos State. The offence, according to the lawyer, is punishable under Section 318 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2011.
Meanwhile, after Ndukaâs guilty plea, the prosecutor gave the facts of the case. Adewunmi said, âIn view of the defendantâs guilty plea, we wish to review the facts of the case. âSometimes in April 2022, we received an intelligence report that a group of individuals was carrying out fraudulent activities in the Iju- Ishaga area of Lagos State.
âThe EFCC operatives arrested him, and recovered a black Apple iPhone 11 Plus, a gray Lenovo laptop, and a Silver Lexus 350 Saloon car, with plate No SMK 297GW, 2011 model. âWe found in the defendantâs gadgets that he has been pretending to be an American lawyer named Richard Ratz, and also acted as Holland Diana, a Yoga therapist, and collected $3,700 from people.
âHe admitted to the offence when he was arrested and also wrote a confessional statement.â The convictâs lawyer, K. A. Adam, in his plea on behalf of the convict, urged the court to be lenient in sentencing Nduka.
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
Reimagine your practice with the power of AI â...this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic.â â Ohio Books Ltd
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe, Esq., ACIArb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
Bonus:
Get a FREE eBook titled âHow to Use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilionâ with every purchase.
How to Order: đ Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 đ§ Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com đ Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access directly online at: https://selar.com/prv626
_______________________________________________________________________ [A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
______________________________________________________________________
âBridging Theory And Courtroom Practiceâ â Hagler Sunny Okorie, Nathaniel Ngozi Ikeocha Unveil âFunctionalâ Tort Law Book For Nigerian Legal System
The book, titled The Law of Torts in Nigeria: A Functional Approach, authored by Professor Hagler Sunny Okorie Ph.D and Ikeocha, Nathaniel Ngozi Esq, offers law students, practitioners, and academics a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying tort law in Nigerian courts. Interested buyers can place orders via the following contact numbers: 08028636615, 08037667945, 08032253813, or +234 902 196 2209.
