A 37-year-old Nigerian, who was arrested by the police for impersonating Ghanaian actor Majid Michel has been jailed 10 months with hard labour Friday.
The Nigerian, Kelvin Ogodogu, was arrested on Saturday, November 15 through the help of some of his neigbours in Kosoa in the Central region for trying to defraud a US-based Nigerian lady. The Nigerian, posing as Majid Michel on Facebook, solicited funds from unsuspecting persons, including the US-based Nigerian lady, Ikay, to bury his mum.
Kelvin Ogodogu was arraigned before the Ledzokuku Krowor Municipal Assembly (LEKMA) Magistrates’ Court in Teshie on Thursday, November 20 where he initially pleaded not guilty to the charges of impersonation and attempted fraud.
During the second hearing on Tuesday, November 25, presided over by Judge Charles Yaw Boateng, State Prosecutor, Chief Inspector Ophelia Denteh led the award winning actor to give his evidence. But during his third appearance on Thursday, November 27, Kelvin pleaded guilty with explanation.
He explained that he has always been a fan of the award winning actor and people even call him Majid Michel. According to Kelvin, the lady in question sent him a message, “Hi Majid” on Facebook and he subsequently initiated a conversation with her. The accused alleged that he had also lost his mother just around the time the lady opted to contribute towards her funeral.
The prosecution demanded to know why he went ahead to chat with the lady on Facebook when he knew he wasn’t Majid Michel and to the point of giving the lady his number to continue the conversation on Whatsapp. The court, during its final hearing on Friday, November 28, after taking the accounts of Kelvin, Majid Michel and other witnesses sentenced the Nigerian to ten months imprisonment with hard labour.
