Nigerian ‘who obtained $8,000 COVID benefit from US’ remanded in EFCC custody

A federal high court sitting in Kaduna has remanded one Collins Samuel in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegation of fraud. 

Samuel, who was arrested by the EFCC in Jos, Plateau state, was arraigned before P. Mallong, a judge, on a one-count charge bordering on impersonation and obtaining money by false pretence.

According to the anti-graft agency, Samuel fraudulently represented himself as Ashley Cooper, an American citizen affected by COVID-19, and obtained $8,000 in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) from Virginia, United States.

The US PUA scheme pays workers who are not “traditionally eligible” to receive employment benefits, but have been put out of work as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Samuel is said to have redeemed the $8,000 benefit through bitcoin wallet addresses he got from various cryptocurrency traders.

“That you Collins Samuel, sometime in February 2021 in Jos, Plateau State, within jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit an offence to with impersonation, when you fraudulently held yourself as one Ashley Cooper, a citizen of the United States of America, and through that identity you applied and received a total sum of $8,000 (United State Dollars) from the State of Virginia as Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, with the intent to gain advantage for yourself and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (1) & (ii) of the Cyber Crime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015,” the charge reads.

He pleaded not guilty to the crime, and was remanded the EFCC custody.

The court adjourned the matter till March 22 for determination of his bail application and trial.

In a related development, one Precious Bala was also arraigned on a three-count charge of internet-related fraud before the same court.

He is alleged to have defrauded a victim of the sum of $17,000.

Bala pleaded not guilty, and was also remanded in the custody of the EFCC.

Meanwhile, the case has been adjourned till March 18 for hearing of his bail application.