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Court Convicts Gateman For Terrorism, Fraud

Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted a gateman, James Paul Tuksa who was charged before him on three-count charge of terrorism, threat to life and fraud.

Justice Faji, convicted the defendant after he held that the prosecution had proved the case brought against the convict by the office of Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) beyond reasonable all doubts.

The convict, a gateman at 4a, Ibironke Crescent, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, sometimes in October, 2016, called one Victor Omotayo Awosika, of 2, Ibironke Crescent, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos on phone and threatened to kill him and his family members, unless he paid him N5 million.

The convict was also accused of fraudulently stealing the sum of N5 million from his victim, an offences which is contrary to Section 24 (2) (a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) 2015 and punishable under Section 24 (2) (I) of the same Act.

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The convict further committed an offence punishable under Section 390(9) of criminal Code Cap. Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The convict was first arraigned before the court on May 25, 2017, on a two-count charge to which he had pleaded not guilty.

AGF through its lawyer, O. C. Anigbogu, however added an additional count to the charge after it was amended in 2019, his plea was retaken and he maintained his not guilty plea

During his trial, the prosecutor called two witnesses and tendered four exhibits including the extra-judicial statement of the convict and CCTV footage.

The convict also gave evidence in his own defence.

Justice Ayokunle Faji, while delivering judgment on the charges, held that the prosecution have successfully proved its case against the convict.

He consequently, pronounced him guilty of the three counts and convict accordingly.

Justice Faji, however, fixed March 20, 2020, for sentencing.

The charge Against The Convict Reads : “that you James Paul Tuksa, ‘M‘ sometime in October. 2016, No 4a Ibironke Crescent, Parkvlew Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos State, within the Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria did knowingly threatened to kill Victor Omotayo Awosika Jr of No 2 Ibironke Crescent, Park View Estate, Ikoyl, Lagos through a phone call to Victor Omotayo Awosika and his family If he does not make available the sum of Five Million Naira to him and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (1) (b) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013 and punishable under same section of the Act.

That you. James PauI Tuksa, ‘M’ sometime in October 2016, of No 2, lbinroke Crescent. Park View Estate, lkoyi, Lagos State. within the jurisdiction 0! the Federal High Court of Nigeria Knowingly and intentionally transmitted or caused the transmission of a text message containing threat to life through an Etisalat Mobile phono number, 09085694295 to Victor Omotayo Awosika and his family of No 2. lbironke Crescent, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, to his own phone number, 08052960000, to make available the sum of Five Million Naira, to you, and such threat placed him and his family in fear of death, violence or body harm and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 24 (2) (a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) An 2015 and punishable under Samoa 24 (2) (I) a! the same Act.

“That you James Paul Tulsa on or about 10th October, 2016 at No 2, Ibironke Crescent Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos State within the Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court 0! Macao did fraudulently steal the sum of N5 Million Naira, property of Victor Omotayo Awosika Jr and thereby committed an offence punishable to section 390(9) of criminal Code Cap. Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004”

29th March 2024
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