Man, 44, hacks into e-mail, steals N700,000

LAGOS — An aluminium fabricator, Emmanuel Okoebor, 44, who allegedly hacked into an e‑mail account and duped a man of N700,000 yesterday appeared before an Ikeja magistrate’s court.
Okoebor, a resident of 14, Akintoye Sogunle Street, Unity Road, Ikeja, is standing trial on a four‑count charge of fraud, stealing, forgery and impersonation.

The prosecutor, Inspector Edet Okoi, said the accused committed the offences on June 5, at 21, Oba Akran Avenue, Ikeja.

He said Okoebor hacked into the e‑mail account of one Mrs Ose Oyakhilome and through it, sent a mail seeking financial assistance from Mr Chidi Ezinmako.
The prosecutor said the accused falsely represented himself to be Oyakhilome and defrauded Ezinmako of N700,000.

Okoi said Okoebor received the money through his FirstBank account. The prosecutor said the accused also forged the e‑mail address of one Mr Tobi Fashina.
He said the offences contravened Sections 285, 312, 363 and 378 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Section 312 prescribes 15 years imprisonment for anyone convicted for fraud.
Okoebor, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The magistrate, Mrs Margaret Dan‑Oni, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the case till July 14, for mention.

Source Vaguard