Victor Ezeja
Six internet fraudsters have been convicted and sentenced to various jail terms by Justice M. Itsueli of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City.
The criminals, Agbonghae Anthony Osamudiamen, Akpobaro Jude, Godday Osaretin, Favour Uwaifo, Blessing Samson and Harry Akputu Donald, were arraigned separately on one count charges by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for offences bordering on illegal possession of fraudulent documents and intent to defraud.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe charge against Osamudiamen reads: “that you, Agbonghae Anthony Osamudiamen sometime in 2022 at Benin City within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be Mark Donald, an American and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 384 (1) of the Criminal Law of Edo State.”
The charge against Uwaifo reads: “that you, Favour Uwaifo on or about 27th March 2023 in Benin City Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did have in your possession on your iPhone XMax with IMEI Number 357272099547667 documents which you knew or ought to have known contain a false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 read together with 8(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.”
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Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, I.M. Elodi and A.A. Ibrahim 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 the defendants were first-time offenders who have become remorseful of their actions.
Justice Itsueli thereafter convicted and sentenced Donald, Osaretin, and Uwaifo to three years imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira as a fine.
Samson, Jude and Osamudiamen bagged two years imprisonment or a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira each.
Justice Itsueli ordered that the balance of N1,994,820.39 found in Osamudiamen’s First Bank account, one Lexus ES350 and phones recovered during the investigation, being proceeds of crime, be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria and that the bank accounts closed.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
