Crime

“Save My Soul” — Nigerian Sentenced In US Begs Compatriots

American-based Nigerian, Olufolajimi Abegunde has sent a “save my soul”, message to good-spirited Nigerians, human right activists and lawyers over what he called unfair “treatment” meted out to him by the United States (US) Sixth Circuit Court of Appeal.

Abegunde, who resides in Atlanta, was sentenced to 78 months over alleged cybercrime in the US correctional facility, but he denied the offence.

According to DAILY POST, Abejide’s lawyer in a statement described as travesty of justice, his sentence by a judge in the western district of Tennessee, Sheryl Lipman in 2019.

The 32-year-old Nigerian in the judgement which he wanted for human rights activist’s intervention also ordered him to pay $57,911.62 in restitution to the victims of his alleged offence.

The convicted Nigerian, according to the statement, has an MBA from Texas A&M University in College Station.

He expressed optimism that the United States judiciary has a traditional system of adhering strictly to the rule of law, while asking eminent lawyers, human Rights activists to come to his rescue.

In the judgement, Abegunde pointed out the element of travesties by both District Court and Sixth Circuit Court of Appeal to be ranging from the worst and most egregious forms of abuse of power or privilege by judicial officers.

“These abuses also involved egregious forms of overreach by government officials and the most draconian forms of prosecutorial misconduct, to significant and preposterous actions at both the District and Sixth Circuit Court of Appeal.”

One of his lawyers who is based in Abuja, but pleaded anonymity said the prosecutors brought a superseding indictment on marriage fraud conspiracy, an offense not connected to the original charges for which he was indicted and prosecuted on.

The lawyer noted that this is against due process and deprived Abegunde his right to a fair trial.

He said, according to rule 8 of the federal rules of criminal procedure as well as Sixth Circuit precedent, offenses can only be joined if they are of the same or similar character, where there is a logical relationship between the offences and if there is overlapping evidence with regard to the joined offenses.

“United States courts have also ruled severally, that for the joining of offences to be proper, the offences must have occurred in the same location.

“The marriage affairs in which he was engaged with his spouse at the Eastern District of North Carolina replaced the aggravated identity theft charge, for which there was absolutely no evidence”, he said.

A MUST TO READ: We wish to add you to our WhatsApp Database to get our trending and latest news directly into your WhatsApp Box as the news breaks.
Kindly CONTACT US 08072633727 📲 on WhatsApp/Call📞
Also, For your Advert Placement, Publicity, Press Release, Personality Promotion, Special Report, Featured story, Conference, Interviews, And So On.

VAM News

Recent Posts

S’Court Affirms Leadership Of ADC National In Landmark Judgment

News Update THE Supreme Court has restored the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC)…

11 hours ago

Tinubu Nominates New Power Minister

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as the new Minister of Power and…

13 hours ago

Petrol price increased amid hardship

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has increased the premium motor spirit price after Dangote…

14 hours ago

Idanre Community Chief Raises Alarm Over Unlawful Arrests By Police Units, Writes IGP

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE From: High Chief Akinloye Akinboni Subject:…

15 hours ago

President Tinubu Appoints New Minister

News Update The Presidency has announced changes in the leadership of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign…

22 hours ago

Why Trump’s photo will appear on U.S. passports

THE United States Department of State has announced plans to release a limited-edition commemorative passport…

24 hours ago