A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has issued a conviction for Lawrence Success Karinate, a Peer-to-Peer crypto trader, on charges related to computer-related fraud. The anti-graft agency announced this development through an official statement on its website, efcc.gov.ng, on Monday. According to the statement, Success was found guilty of a one-count charge related to cybercrimes, which is in violation of Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, etc.) Act, 2015. The charge stated that in 2023, within the jurisdiction of the court, Success Lawrence Karinate, with fraudulent intent, misrepresented himself as a female named "Jessie Randall," a fashion influencer, on social media platforms, deceiving unsuspecting members of the public for personal gain. This act is in violation of Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, etc.) Act, 2015.

The statement did mention that the defendant, expressing remorse for his actions, appealed for leniency and promised the court that he would abstain from such activities in the future.

"He admitted his 'guilt' to the one-count charge brought against him," the statement stated.

Nonetheless, his attorney, Chikezie Kingsley, implored the court to show mercy, emphasizing that the defendant had no prior criminal record.

In the verdict, Justice Oweibo imposed a fine of N200,000 on Karinate.