RismadarVoice Reporters
October 14, 2026
The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced Kelechi Declan James to three years’ imprisonment for fraudulent impersonation, with an option of a ₦300,000 fine.
Justice Daniel Osiagor delivered the judgment on Friday, October 9, 2026, following the defendant’s prosecution by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
James was arraigned on a one-count charge of impersonation after allegedly using the identity of a person identified as David Hernandez on Facebook to obtain an unlawful advantage.
The offence was committed on or about September 9, 2026, contrary to Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.
According to the EFCC, the prosecution followed a petition involving an alleged foreign exchange transaction valued at $135,000, equivalent to ₦201,165,843.50.
The petitioner alleged that James approached him in December 2024, claiming to have Nigerian business associates who required foreign currency exchange services.
He reportedly persuaded the petitioner to arrange and transfer the money into a designated account, with an understanding that the corresponding naira equivalent would be provided.
The petitioner further alleged that although James acknowledged receiving the funds, he failed to fulfil the arrangement or return the money despite repeated efforts to recover it.
During the court proceedings, James pleaded guilty to the impersonation charge.
Prosecution counsel, S. I. Suleiman, subsequently presented the facts of the case and requested that the court convict and sentence the defendant.
Justice Osiagor found James guilty and sentenced him to three years’ imprisonment, with an option of a ₦300,000 fine.
The court also ordered the convict to undertake three days of community service.
The conviction was specifically for impersonation, while the alleged $135,000 transaction formed part of the background presented by the EFCC.
