Popular Boutique Owner Arrested In Lagos For Internet Fraud

A popular Boutique Owner in Lagos, Babatunde Rufai also known as Richard Abben has been sentenced to Nine Months in jail for internet Fraud.

Rufai who is the owner of ‘Wear it all’ boutique in Lekki pleaded guilty to a three count charge of stealing and obtaining money by false pretence.

He was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on March 5, for a $5,000 internet fraud to which he pleaded guilty.

“That you, Babatunde Sodiq Rufai (a.k.a Richard Abben), on or about the 12th of December 2007 in Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division of this honourable court, with intent to defraud, used an email address richardabben@yahoo.com, wherein you represented yourself as an American citizen carrying out contractual business in Africa and obtained the sum of $5,000 (Five Thousand US Dollars), property of an unsuspecting citizen of the United States of America, thereby committed and offence contrary to sections 278 (1),(2) and 285 (1) of Lagos State, 2011.” one of the charges read.

Counsel to the EFCC, Hamed Yerima told the court that the defence team had a plea bargain arrangement with the anti-graft Commission, while urging for a light sentence for the accused.

Justice Taiwo subsequently sentenced Rufai according to the arrangement of the plea bargain which included an option of #400,000 fine in place of the prison sentence.

“I am mindful of this type of crime in our society, which is giving our country a bad image all over the world.

“However, in view of the plea bargain agreement, the defendant is hereby sentenced to nine months in prison, with an option of fine of N400,000 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira) to be paid to the account of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the office of the EFCC.”

The judge also ordered that Rufai forfeit three cars to the Federal Government in impounded as gains bought from the proceeds of internet fraud.