Nigeria: The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of the Benin Zonal Command has sentenced twenty-six (26) internet fraudsters before the magistrates – Efe Ikponmwonba and M. Itsueli of Edo State High Court in Benin City.
The Nigerian court released its verdict between Friday, March 22, 2024 and Tuesday, March 26, 2024 and secured the conviction.
The criminals were put behind the bars after pleading guilty to one-count separate charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence and possession of fraudulent documents upon accusations by the benin Zonal Command of EFCC.
The 26 convicts who were jailed are Cyril Nowanmagbe Ojo, Wisdom Desmond John, Samuel Joseph, Ime Joseph Etim, Imafidon Kelvin, Sylvester Gabriel, Victor Jonathan Chika, Ejike Favour Madukaku, Abdullahi Rahman, Balogun Oladipupo, Ehigiamusoe Desmond, Jeffery Enogieru, Awoke Godstime ThankGod, Gabriel Ugolo, Erhabor ThankGod Idahosa, Obaretin Osahebrunwen Samuel, Ilevba Endurance, Ilevba Isowanmwen, Osakhuwomwen Osayende, Eruangu Salvation, Destiny Osasenagu Osafanmen, Emmanuel Osafanmen, Azuka Victory Nzel, Enehizena Michael, Emmanuel Oladotun Oladotun and Abdulsalam Enakhe.
Reportedly, the charges against Ilevba reads, “Endurance Osahon Ilevba in 2023 in Benin City, edo State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did with intent to defraud and represent yourself to be Jason Statham who is an American Actor and committed an offence, punishable under Section 384 (1) of the criminal Law of Edo State Law 2022.”
All the defendants were pleaded guilty for their respective charges, as when they were read to them, prompting prosecution counsel, FA Jirbo, IK Agwai, IM Elodi, KY Bello, Salihu Ahmed and Bala-Ribah t prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
However, counsel to the defendants pleaded the court to temper justice with mercy, stressing that they have become remorseful for their actions.
Duo Ilevba and Endurance Osahon Ilevba were sentenced for two years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000, each while the quartet of Idahosa, Oladuton Cole, Michael and Abdullahi received two years imprisonment with fine of N100,000 each. Twenty others were sentenced for three years in prison with a fine of N100,000 each.
The judges ordered the convicts to forfeit their phones, laptops, three Mercedes-Benz vehicles, data of the balances of their bank accounts, including the sum of N4,052,052.53 in the account of Ilevba being instrument and proceeds of crime t the Federal Government of Nigeria while Abdullahi was ordered to refund N480,000 to his victim. A signed undertaking was also given by the convicts in writing to behave good.