Justice A.T. Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has sentenced Henry Nathaniel Ekanem, a final-year student at the University of Port Harcourt, to fourteen years in prison for internet fraud.
The ruling was delivered on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a seven-count charge of obtaining money under false pretenses and impersonation.
One of the charges stated that Ekanem, on or about September 17, 2024, in Port Harcourt, fraudulently represented himself as Coran Capsha, the manager of singer Chris Stapleton. Through this false identity, he obtained $22 from one Diana Roskov, fully aware that his claim was fraudulent. This offense contravenes Section 1(1)(a) and is punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act 2006.
When presented in court, Ekanem pleaded guilty. Prosecution counsel, A. Abubakar, presented evidence and witnesses to support the charges, requesting the court to convict Ekanem based on his admission. Defense counsel, F. T. Fred-Boufini, did not object but instead appealed for leniency, noting that Ekanem was a first-time offender with no prior criminal record.
Justice Mohammed sentenced Ekanem to two years on each of the seven counts, offering an alternative fine of N200,000 per count payable to the Federal Government’s Consolidated Revenue Account.
Additionally, all phones recovered from Ekanem, deemed proceeds of his crimes, were ordered forfeited to the government, and he was required to file an affidavit pledging good behavior.
Ekanem’s arrest occurred in September 2024, when EFCC operatives apprehended him in Port Harcourt for his involvement in internet fraud. He reportedly used WhatsApp and Instagram to pose as Chris Stapleton’s manager, successfully deceiving multiple victims, including Roskov, out of funds.
