- Court Jails 10 Internet Fraudsters in Benin
- Orders Forfeiture of Assets
- Defence counsel pleaded for leniency
No fewer than 10 internet fraudsters have been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment each or an option of ₦200,000 fine by Justice Mary Itsueli of the Edo State High Court, sitting in Benin City.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the convicts Okoro Emmanuel, Billwise Dikoru, Enoma Osasumwen, Samson Festus, Godspower Afolorunikon, Omonle Damien, Sunday Uanseoje, Sylvester Udu, Ani Chucks, and Amilegbe Saviour were arraigned on separate one-count charges by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Their offences bordered on impersonation, obtaining by false pretence, advance fee fraud, retention of proceeds of crime, and possession of fraudulent documents.
According to the EFCC, which disclosed the development on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the defendants all pleaded guilty to the charges.
Prosecuting counsels, K. Y. Bello and Isa Agwai, urged the court to convict them as charged, citing violations of Sections 6 and 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, punishable under Section 1(3) of the same law.
Although the defence counsel pleaded for leniency, Justice Itsueli, in her ruling, sentenced each defendant to two years’ imprisonment with the option of a ₦200,000 fine.
The court further ordered the forfeiture of their mobile phones, laptops, and funds in their bank accounts all deemed proceeds of crime to the Federal Government.
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