An Edo State resident, Irabor Osarumwense, nicknamed Daniel Craig and James Bond was on Thursday, convicted and sentenced to two years by the Federal High Court in Benin City, the state capital.
Irabor was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and convicted after he was found guilty of fraud before Justice S.M Shuaibu.
He was arraigned on one count charge bordering on impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.
Irabor who pleaded not guilty to the charge, was said to have fraudulently impersonated the identity of the English actor, Daniel Craig, to defraud unsuspecting victims.
The charge reads, “That you Irabor Osarumwense (aka 007 Daniel Craig James Bond) sometimes in 2021 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently impersonate the identity of Daniel Craig, an English actor by fraudulently sending documents to one Nansiri through the internet which document you claim emanated from the said Daniel Craig with the intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2)(b)(ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015 and punishable under section 22(2)(b)(iv) of the same Act.”
The prosecution counsel, Immaculate Elodi, had prayed the court to convict and sentence him in accordance with the plea bargain agreement between the parties.
Justice Shuaibu however, convicted and sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment with option of a fine of N200,000.
The defendant was also to forfeit the phone used in perpetuating the crime to the Federal government of Nigeria and would undertake in writing to be of good behaviour afterwards.
