The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced Kelechi Declan James to three years’ imprisonment for impersonating a foreign national on Facebook in a case involving an alleged $135,000 foreign exchange fraud.

Justice Daniel Osiagor delivered the judgment on Friday, October 9, 2026, after James pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of impersonation filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The charge was filed by the commission’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1.

Defendant Allegedly Impersonated Foreign National

According to the charge, James allegedly used his Facebook account on or about September 9, 2026, to impersonate a person identified as “David Hernandez” to gain an advantage for himself.

The offence was brought under Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.

The EFCC said its investigation followed a petition alleging that James approached the petitioner in December 2024, claiming to have Nigerian business associates who required foreign exchange services.

$135,000 Transfer Dispute

The petitioner alleged that he was persuaded to source and transfer $135,000, equivalent to ₦201,165,843.50, into an account nominated by James.

According to the EFCC, James allegedly acknowledged receiving the funds but failed to remit the agreed naira equivalent or refund the dollars.

The petitioner reportedly made unsuccessful attempts to recover the money before seeking the commission’s intervention.

Court Orders Fine, Community Service

Following James’s guilty plea, EFCC prosecuting counsel, S. I. Suleiman, presented the facts of the case and urged the court to convict and sentence him.

Justice Osiagor sentenced James to three years’ imprisonment, with an option of a ₦300,000 fine.

The court also ordered him to perform three days of community service as part of the sentence.

The conviction followed the conclusion of the court proceedings on the impersonation charge.