The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Monday, arraigned two brothers: Solomon Nwachukwu; and Godspower Nwachukwu; before Justice I. U. Bello of the High Court of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Bwari, Abuja, on separate one-count amended charge, bordering on cyber crime and obtaining money under false pretence.
A press statement by the EFCC spokesperson, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the Prosecution Counsel, Maryam Aminu Ahmed, had prayed the court to amend the charge, dated September 27, 2019.
He said the defendants pleaded guilty to the amended charges when they were read to them and the Defence Counsel, Abaji Abel, did not object to the amended charges. Abel, however, urged the judge to temper justice with mercy as his clients were both remorseful, just as he pleaded that the defendants being first-time offenders should be given a second chance.
The defence counsel also noted that the accused had already forfeited all proceeds of the crime traced to them, including an iPhoneX to the federal government, following a plea bargain agreement.
Justice Bello sentenced the brothers to three years imprisonment each with an option of N1.5 million to be paid to the EFCC for onward return to their victims through the US Embassy, as restitution.
“The defendants shall also depose to an affidavit of undertaking to be of good behaviour,” the judge added.