The convict was arraigned on May 31, 2022 on a one-count charge bordering on possession of document containing false pretence.

An internet fraudster, Pius Eromosele has been found guilty by a Lagos State High Court.

Justice O. A. Okunuga of the State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos convicted the fraudster after he was arraigned on May 31, 2022 on a one-count charge bordering on possession of document containing false pretence.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to the charges brought against him.

The charge reads: “That you, Pius Eromosele, on or about the 31st day of March, 2021 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court,knowingly had in your possession a document containing false pretence titled: “Schedule remittance and shipping request”, which document you knew to be false and committed an offence of possession of document containing false pretence, contrary to Section 320 of the Criminal Law of Lagos state, 2015.”

In view of his guilty plea, the prosecution counsel S.I Suleiman, reviewed the facts of the case to further prove the guilt of the convict.

Suleiman narrated to the court that Eromosele was arrested by operatives of the EFCC on March 26, 2022 ,following intelligence report received from the Interpol Global Complex Innovation, Singapore, about a syndicate of internet fraudsters in Nigeria, who use malware to steal information and credentials of individuals and use the same to defraud unsuspecting victims.

He also told the court that a covert surveillance was carried out, followed by a sting operation that resulted in the arrest of the convict and some others.

The prosecution tendered the voluntary statements of the convict as well as other incriminating evidence that were recovered from him and they were all admitted in evidence against him.

Suleiman, upon presenting the fact of the case, urged the court to convict Eromosele as charged and sentence him accordingly.

Justice Okunuga sentenced the convict to five (5) hours of community service for six (6) months at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.

Justice Okunuga also ordered the forfeiture of the items recovered from him to the Federal Government of Nigeria.