Nigerian Business man, Obinwanne Okeke, who was arrested in the United States last August, has surrendered after months of putting up spirited fights against the two-count charge of wire and computer fraud slammed on him by American authorities.
Already, a Senior United State District Judge, Rebecca Smith, has given an order approving the plea bargain arrangement.
“The Court has been advised that the defendant wishes to enter a plea of guilty,” Judge Smith said in her Order of April 24. “A United States Magistrate Judge is hereby authorised, with the consent of the defendant, to conduct the proceedings required by the Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11 incident to the making of the plea. See 28 U.S.C. Section (b) (1); United States v. Dees, 125 F.3d 261 (5th Cir.1997).
“The defendant may consent to the United States Magistrate Judge conducting the proceedings on a form provided by the clerk.
“If, after conducting such proceedings, the Magistrate Judge accepts the plea of guilty and the associated plea agreement, a presentence investigation shall be conducted and a report shall be prepared pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 32, and a sentencing data shall be scheduled.
“If the plea of guilty is accepted, the District Judge will adjudicate guilt and will determine and impose a sentence.”
Magistrate Judge Robert Krask has been appointed to conduct the plea agreement hearing set for June 18 at the Norfolk Magistrate Courtroom 1.
Mr Okeke, also known as Invictus Obi in Nigeria, has now told American authorities he is ready to enter a guilty plea, possibly in exchange for a lesser sentence.
Mr Okeke’s capitulation is a surprising turn in the case as he has since his arrest denied all the offense.
On December 15, 2019, he filed two preliminary objections. One saying American authorities lacked jurisdiction to charge him for fraudsince he did not commit the alleged offence on American soil, and that no American companies or individuals were swindled at the time of his indictment.
