A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama, Abuja, has sentenced Nwachi Chidozie Kingsley to seven years in prison for defrauding an American woman of $205,238.
Justice U.P. Kekemeke delivered the judgment on Thursday after finding Kingsley guilty on two counts filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The court sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment on each count without the option of a fine.
The two jail terms will run concurrently at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
The court also ordered him to refund the full sum of $205,238 to the victim, Nicole Kierulff Sayers.
The EFCC said Kingsley deceived Sayers with a fake contract allegedly linked to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.
He was also found in possession of a forged document claiming he had been awarded the government contract.
While testifying, Sayers, an American lawyer from Oregon, said Kingsley contacted her on Facebook on her birthday and claimed they belonged to the same spiritual organisation.
She said their friendship later became a romantic relationship, making her trust him.
According to her, Kingsley repeatedly asked for money, claiming he needed it to secure the government contract and later for medical bills, surgeries and other emergencies.
She told the court that she initially sent him $15,000 after he promised to repay her within 45 days.
Sayers said she later travelled to Abuja in 2022 to meet him after already sending about $40,000.
She added that she eventually made more than 125 money transfers to him within one year, amounting to over $200,000.
The victim said Kingsley also asked for money for his bail and alleged bribes after claiming he had been arrested over government funds.
After re
viewing the evidence, the court found him guilty as charged and sentenced him to prison in line with the law.