Obinwanne Okeke also known as Invictus Obi has declared his intention to plead guilty for the $11 million fraud he is being tried for in the United States (US).
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said Okeke and at least six other persons were involved in the crimes.
Okeke was indicted for an $11 million fraud after Unatrac Holding Limited, an export sales office for Caterpillar heavy industry and farm equipment, in the United Kingdom was defrauded through a phishing scheme in July 2018.
“There is a probable cause to believe Okeke has conspired with several individuals to access computers without authorisation and using such access to cause the fraudulent wire transfer of funds,” FBI’s special agent Marshall Ward said in an affidavit he deposed to before Justice Lawrence Leonard, in Norfolk, Virginia, on August 2 2019.
He however pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Currently, a Senior United State District Judge, Rebecca Smith, has approved the hearing of 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 the plea of guilty is accepted, the District Judge will adjudicate guilt and will determine and impose a sentence.”
The plea agreement hearing has been set for June 18 and Magistrate Judge Robert Krask of Norfolk magistrate has been appointed to conduct it.
Already Okeke had been made to forfeit some of his assets and have been declined bail on numerous applications.