UYO (CONVERSEER) – Justice Maurine Adaobi of the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo has convicted and sentenced Elijah Okwa Etenrulimre from Cross River State to three months imprisonment for offences bordering on criminal impersonation on the cyberspace.
Etenrulimere was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Uyo Zonal Directorate, on Thursday, 29th May 2025, on a one count criminal charge for his illicit activities on the internet.
The charge against Etenrulimre reads; “That you, Elijah Okwa Etenrulimre (aka Kaley Couco), sometime in 2024, in Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did fraudulently present yourself as Kaley Couco on social media with the intent to gain advantage for yourself, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2)(b)(i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2024 and punishable under the same Section.”
When the charge was read to him, he pleaded ‘guilty.
In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, Enobong Ubokudom prayed the court to convict the defendant and sentence him in accordance with the provisions of the law.
But the defence counsel, Samson Awuje, pleaded for leniency and urged the court to temper justice with mercy and give the defendant a second chance on the grounds that he was remorseful and had promised not to return to crime.
After listening to both counsel, Justice Adaobi convicted and sentenced Etenrulimre to three months jail term to run from the date of his arrest and custody, or pay a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (₦200,000).
Converseer reports that the convict was arrested at his residence in Okuku, Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State, on 5th May 2025, by a team of operatives during a sting operation. He was found to be involved in internet fraud, He was thereafter arraigned and convicted.
