Justice Efe Ikponwonba of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 convicted and sentenced 14 internet fraudsters to various terms of imprisonment.
Meanwhile, operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday May 23, 2023, arrested 44 suspected internet fraudsters in Benin City.
The suspects were arrested in different locations following actionable intelligence on their alleged internet fraud-related activities.
Those convicted by Justice Ikponwonbae are Ehis Ezhibwe Okoawo, Benjamin Ifeanyi Aghaeze, Godwin Destiny, Liroy Nwanochie, Lucky Igbinosa, Terna Daniel, Sunday Stanley and Oyenyen Olusegun Blessing. Others are Odagwe Trust Ifechukwu, Solomon Andrew, Emojevwe Wisdom, Ewomazino Odidi, Shaka Samson and Oluwapelimi Joseph Obanigba
They were arraigned separately on one count charge each, bordering on intent to defraud and unlawful possession of fraudulent documents by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission .
The charge against Ewomazino Odidi reads. “That you, Ewomazino Odidi (m) on or about 2nd day of May, 2023 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 and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 and Section 8(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act”.
The charge against Liroy Nwanochie reads: “That you, Liroy Nwanochie (m) sometime in 2020 at Sapele Road, 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 a false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary Section 6 read together with Section 8(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act”.
Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges prompting the prosecution counsel, Francis Jirbo, Salihu Ahmed, Abdullazeez Sallau Bala-Ribah, Al-Amin Abdul Ibrahim to ask the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants were first time offenders who had become remorseful for their actions.
Justice Ikponwonba convicted and sentenced Nwanochie, Igbinosa, Daniel, Stanley, Blessing, Wisdom, Odidi, Samson and Obanigba to three years imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira fine.
Aghaeze and Andrew were each given an option of One Hundred Thousand Naira fine in lieu of a three- year jail term
The duo of Destiny and Ifechukwu were convicted and sentenced to community service while Okoawo was cautioned and discharged
Justice Ikponwonba ordered that the balance of N3,531.33 found in Nwanochie’s bank account, and one UBA managers cheque valued N42,174 belonging to Sunday Stanley and the balance in Andrew’s account; one Black Mercedes Benz GLK 350, one Lexus RX 350, laptops and phones being proceeds and instruments of crime be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
A statement by the EFCC said that of the 44 arrested, 33 were found to have questions to answer after being profiled. They are Emmanuel Jimmy, Wisdom Osazuwa, Emmanuel Osaretin, Destiny Nonso, Michael Ekeh, Uzoma Okoligwe, Emmanuel Ebushi, Oyegun Osadebamwen, Christain Amhazioya, Azegbeyele Francis, Osarobo Junior, Anyanwu Miracle, and Louis Osahenie.
Others are Ezerhume Jude Osomieneshi, Happy Daniel and Maro Oghenekohwo. Others are Kelvin Ifeanyi Anere, Igwe Favour, Gabriel Okpolor, Ogbeifun Prince, Timothy Nawamgbe, Onakofure Augustine, Osakpamwen Gaius, Nonso Prince Onuoha, Emmanuel Efetobor, Emmanuel Usifoh, Endurance Azeke, Ojo Destiny, Justice Aifo, Collins Etiosa Ihkuoretin, Victor Ohenhen Ikponmuosa, Godspower Oghenekohwo and Amos Onakpofure.
Items recovered from the suspects include 25 exotic cars – three Lexus EX350, six Lexus RX330, five Mercedes Benz ML 350, one Toyota Camry, one Lexus IS250, four Mercedes Benz C300, One Toyota Venza, one Toyota Highlander, two Toyota Corolla, mobile phones and laptops.
The suspects have made useful statement and will be charged to court soon.