PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLER SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR FRAUD

A Federal High Court in Ilorin, Kwara State, has convicted and sentenced a professional footballer, Jacob Wisdom Chukwuemeka, to six years in prison for internet fraud and possession of fraudulent funds.

Chukwuemeka, who was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's (EFCC) Ilorin Zonal Command, was convicted on Monday, October 3, after pleading guilty to two counts of possession of fraudulent funds.

Chukwuemeka, who was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's (EFCC) Ilorin Zonal Command, was convicted on Monday, October 3, after pleading guilty to two counts of possession of fraudulent funds.

Count one of the charge reads: "That you, Jacob Wisdom Chukwuemeka, did retain control of the gross sum of N792,454.00 in your bank account domiciled with First Bank Plc which you knew to be proceeds of criminal conduct between the 6th May 2021 and the 22nd April 2022 within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 17 (a) and (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establish

In his decision, Justice Muhammed Sani sentenced Chukwuemeka to three years in prison on counts one and two, which will run concurrently. However, he was given the option of paying a fine of N792,454.00 on count one or N300,000 on count two.

The iPhone 11 he used to commit the crime, as well as a N250,000 draft, were turned over to the Federal Government.

Furthermore, the court ordered the convict to repay his victim N524,454.00, the balance of the proceeds of his fraudulent dealings against him.