A Lagos man identified as Innocent Owie Ochuko has been sentenced to three months imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to one-count charge bordering on Bitcoin investment scam.
He was arraigned on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 on a one-count charge bordering on cybercrime by Justice D.I.Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.
EFCC said he assumed a fictitious name, Exxes, from the United States of America through which he was able to dupe his victim of $1,000 AUD ( One Thousand Australian Dollars).
The charge reads: “That you, INNOCENT OWIE OCHUKO, on or about the 20th June, 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and with intent to gain advantage, held out yourself as “Hibrave Thugger” with an email: hibravethugger@gmail.com, through Google Account profile to unsuspecting victims, wherein you gained financial benefit to yourself through Bitcoin Investment Scam, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition Prevention etc.) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2015.”
He pleaded “guilty” to the charge when it was read to him.
In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, I.G. Akhanolu called on Leonard Ayokor, an operative of the EFCC, to review the facts of the case .
In his review, Ayokor stated that “the defendant confessed his involvement in a Bitcoin investment scam. He also confessed that he assumed the fictitious name, Exxes, from the United States of America and that he benefited the sum of $1,000 AUD( One Thousand Australian Dollars). During investigations, an iPhone 15 and a Samsung S9 were recovered from him. He has restituted the sum of N300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) through Zenith Bank manager’s cheque.”
Justice Dipeolu, , in view of the defendant’s plea and evidence tendered by the prosecution, found him guilty and also convicted him. He also sentenced him to three months imprisonment ,with an option of a N700,000 fine.
He equally ordered that the mobile devices recovered from him as well as the N300,000 manager’s cheque issued as restitution be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The convict’s journey to the Correctional Centre began when he was arrested on June 20, 2025 at County Estate, Lekki, Lagos in a sting operation by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for being involved in internet fraud.
