A Lagos High Court in Ikeja on Tuesday sentenced a member of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), Ibok Benneth, to eight months imprisonment for attempting to commit internet fraud.

30-year-old Benneth who is currently undertaking his one-year mandatory service at Afikpo Local Government Council in Ebonyi State was convicted by Justice Olabisi Akinlade after he pleaded guilty to the offence on arraignment.

News Agency of Nigeria, NAN reports he had entered into a plea bargain agreement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the advice of his counsel, Mrs. I. Njoku.

NAN reports that Benneth was arraigned by the EFCC on 10 counts bordering on forgery and possession of fraudulent document. The EFCC counsel, Mrs. Atinuke Daramola said the commission had on July 2 received a petition from one Mr. Sam Ohuabunwa claiming that some unknown persons had hacked his e-mail account.

“The petitioner said the persons started requesting his mail contacts to send money into a certain Zenith Bank account no: 2080306452, on his behalf,” Daramola said.

The counsel said that investigations by EFCC operatives at the bank revealed that the account was owned by Benneth,
She said; ”This led to his arrest at his residence located at Plot 2, Pilot Crescent off Bode Thomas, Surulere, Lagos.

“A search was conducted in his apartment and several forged documents relating to Union Bank Plc and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) were found in his possession.

“Other correspondence via e-mail to some foreigners, where he claimed to have won a fictitious European Winning Lottery Programme, was also found in his laptop”.

Daramola said he had admitted to the EFCC operatives in a statement that he owned the Zenith Bank account and was also involved in other fraudulent activities on the internet.

She said his offences contravened Sections 6, 8 (b) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria

In her judgment, Akinlade said the sentence would commence from August 28 when he was arrested by the police, adding that Benneth had no justification for engaging in internet fraud, stressing that he should have thought of the consequences of his actions.

“At the age of 30, some of your age mates are married and already managers with serious responsibilities in some big companies, while you are still serving.

“Now you have been convicted, which will be reflected in your record. You should have thought of the consequences before engaging in fraudulent activities.

“You better go and change because if you go back to fraud, the EFCC will catch you again and the law will catch up with you,” Akinlade said.

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Posted: at 28-11-2012 08:38 PM (11 years ago) | Upcoming

Go and finish ur serves in prison. Bad example to d society.

Posted: at 28-11-2012 09:31 PM (11 years ago) | Addicted Hero

All Na service whether Na prison or any all Na the same

Posted: at 29-11-2012 12:19 AM (11 years ago) | Addicted Hero

 

Posted: at 28-02-2013 09:58 AM (11 years ago) | Gistmaniac

Go and finish ur serves in prison. Bad example to d society.

Posted: at 28-02-2013 11:06 AM (11 years ago) | Hero

This is a big disgrace......corper weeeeeeee.....waaaaaaaaaaah youth always obey d clarion call.

Posted: at 28-02-2013 11:16 AM (11 years ago) | Newbie

 

Posted: at 3-04-2013 07:45 AM (11 years ago) | Addicted Hero

 

Posted: at 3-04-2013 07:45 AM (11 years ago) | Addicted Hero

is that how you want to serve your country

Posted: at 3-07-2016 08:25 AM (7 years ago) | Hero

na wa oh

Posted: at 3-07-2016 08:27 AM (7 years ago) | Gistmaniac

Say walahi. Safe prison sentence don't let batty boys touch you

Posted: at 3-07-2016 08:58 AM (7 years ago) | Addicted Hero

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