Graduate Jailed for Impersonating US Soldier, Internet Scam

Justice Ramon Oshodi of the Ikeja Special Offences Court on Tuesday convicted and sentenced a psychology graduate, Paul Dogun, to two years imprisonment for impersonating a United States military officer and engaging in an internet love scam.

The verdict was handed down to Dogun sequel to his plea bargain to an amended charge of impersonation.

The judge said the convict should serve the jail term at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.

Justice Oshodi said, “I have listened to you and your lawyer’s allocutus but I do not agree that your guilty plea is timing.

“The only reason I am inclined to grant non-custodial is because I can see you are remorseful.

“I hereby sentence you to two years imprisonment.”

Oshodi also ordered that the convict should serve his jail term or pay a fine of N3m.

The judge ordered that the convict’s laptop and his three other phones which were retrieved from him during the trial should be forfeited to the Federal Government.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had arraigned Dogun in 2022 on a two-count of possession of fraudulent documents and impersonation and he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

According to the EFCC counsel, the offence contravened Section 380 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

The EFCC counsel, Mr Audu Damua, called one witness during the trial and the prosecution closed its case.

However, the defendant changed his plea when the case was called on Monday for him to open his defence.

In the review of facts by the prosecution, the defendant identified himself as one Gabby Mcquire and his victim’s name was Catherine Meg.

He confessed to have downloaded the pictures of a military officer from Google and sent a friend request to various white women.

Earlier, the convict, in his plea for mercy, begged the court for leniency, adding that he had made a mistake and was ashamed of the act.

The defence counsel, Mr Nathaniel Ojobo, in his allocutus, also prayed the court to grant the defendant non-custodial sentencing, adding that the defendant was a first-time offender.