The Benin zonal directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), has secured the conviction and sentence of 24 internet fraudsters to various jail terms by Justice G. O. Imadegbelo of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City.
The convicts are: Azubuike Godwin, Ejike Prince, Ebeli Onyeishi Precious, Uboh Nelson, Henry Frank Aizeyosagbov, Jeremiah Osazuwa Bright, Aigbovibosa Osarumwense, Destiny Osagie Monday, Kindrick Ugochukwu, Daniel Kenedy Evun, Orobosa Elvis Nosakhare, Eleadi Nice Chibueze, Edidiong Ndifreke, Stephen Holiness, Iyamu Edosa David, Nosakhare Aigbovibosa.
Others are Raymond Clinton Osariemen, Uhumona Destiny Osayomwenbor, Amos Godwin, Odion Victor, Ayomide Michael, Elijah Akpan Effiong, Tive David Enaike and Ofuma Uche Bright.
They were prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Commission at different days in the month of July on separate one-count charges bordering on impersonation, obtaining by false pretence and possession of fraudulent documents.
The charge against Osarumwense reads: “That you Aigbovibosa Osarumwense (M) on or about the 25th of Day of June, 2024 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known contain false pretence thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 and 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
All the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges when they were read to them in court, prompting the prosecution counsel, F. A. Jirbo, I. M Elodi, I.K Agwai, K.Y. Bello and Ahmed Salihu and Bala Ribah to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as they have become remorseful for their actions.
Justice Imadegbelo on Tuesday July 2, 2024 convicted and sentenced Godwin, Prince, Precious and Nelson to three years imprisonment or a fine of N100, 000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) each. On July 10, 2024, he convicted and sentenced Aizeyosabor, Bright, Osarumwense, Monday, Nosakhare, Chibueze, Holiness to three years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 while the trio of Ugochukwu, Evun and Ndifreke bagged two years imprisonment or a fine of N100,00 each.
Justice Imadegbelo on Thursday July 11 convicted and sentenced David to two years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 while Aigbovibosa bagged five years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000.
On Wednesday July 17, Justice Imadegbelo convicted and sentenced the duo of Osariemen and Destiny to two years imprisonment or a fine of N100,00 each. On Wednesday July 24, 2024, he convicted and sentenced Godwin, Victor, Michael, Effiong and Bright to community service while Enaike bagged three years imprisonment or a fine of N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira)each.
The judge ordered the forfeiture of two Mercedes Benz GLK350 recovered from Osarumwense and Ugochukwu being proceeds of crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
All the convicts forfeited their phones, laptops, balances in their various bank accounts being instruments and proceeds of crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria. They are also to undertake in writing to be of good behaviour afterwards
The convicts’ road to the Correctional Centre began following their arrest by operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the Commission based on actionable intelligence regarding their involvement in computer related fraud.
