Kaduna High Court has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to forfeit a Toyota Camry 2006 model, Mercedes-Benz GLK 2010 model, iPhone XR, and iPhone Pro Max to the Federal Government. The court’s decision came in the case against Godwin Pascal and Carlos Nathan, who were charged with internet fraud by the EFCC.
Justice Dairus Khobo, delivering the verdict, handed down a two-year imprisonment sentence to Pascal and Nathan. However, the convicts were given the option of a N100,000 fine each. The judgment follows the duo’s involvement in a syndicate of fraudsters operating in the Barnawa and environs of Kaduna.
During the court proceedings, the EFCC’s counsel, P. C. Onyeneho, presented evidence that Pascal and Nathan, under the guise of Katie Geoffrey, a fictitious U.S. female, engaged in fraudulent activities, establishing a relationship with one Jimmy Michael. The prosecutor called a witness and submitted various documents, including the defendants’ statements, consent to search devices form, certificate of compliance, and scam documents retrieved from the defendants’ Instagram account.
The charges against Pascal and Nathan were based on offenses punishable under sections 1(1) and 319 of the Penal Code. Relying on the documents and witness testimony, the prosecution urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants as charged.
The defense counsel, B. J. Francis, did not contest the prosecution’s request but appealed to the court for leniency in the sentencing.