Photo: Fake Army
Photo: Fake Army General Edward Bags Jail Term in
Nigeria
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on April 8,
2019 secured the conviction of one Uyime Omoruyi for fraudulently
inducing one Mary Cuter to deliver the sum of $999 (Nine Hundred
and Ninety Nine Dollars) to him.
Omuruyi was arraigned before Justice Samirah Bature of a Federal
Capital Territory, FCT High Court, Maitama on an amended charge
bordering on attempted cheating and impersonation.
The charge reads: “That you, Uyime Omoruyi (aka Gen. Barnett
Riggs Edward) sometimes in 2018 at Abuja within the Judicial
Division of this Honourable Court, did attempt to cheat, by posing
as a United States General Barnett Edward Riggs, an American
soldier deployed to Afghanistan and fraudulently induced one Mary
Cuter to deliver the sum of $999 (Nine Hundred and Ninety Nine
Dollars) that the money is payment for clearance of a package with
World Link Courier Service, a claim which you knew was false and
thereby committed an offence contrary to section 320 (a) of the
Penal Code punishable under section 324 of Penal Code, laws of the
Federation (Abuja) 1990.”
Omoruyi, who was first arraigned on April 4, 2019, pleaded
“guilty” to the amended charge after it was read to him.
Prosecuting counsel, Best Ojukwu, thereafter, prayed the court
to sentence the defendant, accordingly.
Defence counsel, Adachi Abel, however, prayed the court to
temper justice with mercy, stating that the convict had shown
remorse for his actions, and “he cooperated with investigators and
helped them apprehend similar offenders”.
While delivering judgement, Justice Bature noted that the
convict was a first-time offender and “he has saved the State from
expending resources and time by pleading guilty on
arraignment”.
The trial judge, thus convicted him and handed him a fine of
N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira), in default of which, he will spend
one year in Kuje Prison.
Tony Orilade
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
April 8, 2019