An FCT High Court in Kubwa, Abuja, on Wednesday, ordered a 30-year-old youth corps member, Chibuike Omemgboji, to clean the premises of the Winners Chapel, Jahi, Abuja, for six months.
Omemgboji had pleaded guilty to a cheating charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and begged for leniency.
Justice Kezziah Ogbonnaya ordered Omemgboji to report to the church daily from June 15, sign in and upon completion of the service each day sign out and warned him to desist from committing crimes and be of good behaviour.
The defence counsel, Mr Eteh Enobong, had told the court that Omemgboji, who had no previous conviction in Nigeria or abroad, was remorseful and repentant.
Mr Enobong told the court that, “Omemgboji repented before he was arrested and revealed his true identity to the victim, apologised and attempted to make restitution and has started a new business with his wife.
“He has decided to forfeit a Honda Accord and an iPhone X, being proceeds of the crime, to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
Earlier, the EFCC counsel, Mariya Shariff, told the court that Omemgboji alias Surajo Ascencio fraudulently created Facebook and Instagram accounts sometime in 2022.
Shariff said Omemgboji presented himself as “Ascencio” to one Sarah Vakunta and received $4,328 from her under the pretence of being in love with her. (NAN)
