Tobechukwu Igbokwe, a Nigerian teenager has been sentenced to 37years imprisonment for defrauding an American $40million in an inheritance scam.

Justice Lateef Lawal Akapo of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja passed the sentence today on the 19-year old secondary school leaver.

The convict was arraigned before the court on a 12- count charge of forgery, conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretences.

Justice Akapo found him guilty on all 12-counts and sentenced him accordingly. He was sentenced to 7 years on counts 1-8; 8years on count 9; 7years on count 10, 8years on count 11 and 7 years on count 12, making a cumulative of 37years imprisonment.

The sentence is to run concurrently with effect from October 28, 2013, meaning he would spend just eight years behind the slammer. And since his sentence was backdated to 2013, Igbokwe only has a few years to spend.

The court also ordered Igbokwe to return the $40million as a restitution to the victim and forfeit a Toyota Corolla car, which is a proceed of the crime, to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Igbokwe was arraigned on 28 October 2013. He pleaded not guilty to the 12-count charge pressed against him. He later changed his plea to “guilty” and was convicted by Justice Akapo accordingly.

Before the conviction, the prosecuting counsel, Kayode Oni tendered various exhibits before the court which were all admitted and marked as such. However, defence counsel, D. A. Omougbai prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, since Igbokwe has shown enough remorse for the offences he committed.

Tobechukwu Igbokwe (Alias David Prince) and his accomplice, Ifeanyi Obi were alleged to have duped an American, M. Silva, the sum of $40million in an inheritance scam. Silva was made to believe that Igbokwe and his accomplice had a huge inheritance which they wanted to move to a foreign account for safe-keeping.

The victim was asked to send money to “process” the transfer and in the process, he wired $40m in several instalments through Western Union to Igbokwe.

Igbokwe also confessed that he had duped other foreigners. Some of them are: T. Bedwell, $6,000 and R. Hunt $15,000.

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/03/photo-tobechukwu-igbokwe-nigerian.html

cc: lalasticlala

Good for him

That american should be sentenced for been stupid. How can someone fall for such scam to the tune of $40m

My question is why did the oyibo want chop where he did not plant ? The so called victims are the ones that had been stealing, looting and conniving with thieves to loot Africa blind. The young lads are outsmarting them in their game.

Why for God sake will you want money you know nothing about transfer to your account ? The is very clear case that you are not honest and should be charge accordingly and the money seized.

I swear this story is not true, no be wire na. I go collect $40m i go still con dey drive toyota corrola

Criminal oyinbo mugu.

I have no pity for him. He wanted to reap where he didn't sow. He too needs to be jailed for being overtly greedy. Thief. I hope he never gets the money back.

The only sad thing is another nail has been added to the coffin of Nigeria's reputation.

See lie lie oh....$40m. How much is the worth of dd so called inheritance sef.

$40m no pass inheritance?

I hope he'll turn a new leave and join other youths in developing our dear country, Nigeria when he leaves the prison in 5yrs time.

Wetin come be the value of the imaginar inheritance?

$40m in several instalments through Western Union........