In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, twenty individuals have been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to charges of obtaining by false pretense and possession of fraudulent documents. The convictions were secured by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Benin, Edo State.
The defendants were arraigned before Justices Efe Ikponmwonba and M. Itsueli of the Edo State High Court in Benin City on April 17 and 18, 2024. Among the convicted individuals are Blessing Daniel, Kingsley Okoroafor, Amos Ohwofa, Eromosele Victory, and several others.
Upon hearing the charges against them, all defendants pleaded guilty, prompting the prosecution counsel to request the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, the defendants' counsel appealed for leniency, citing remorse on the part of their clients.
Justice Ikponmwonba handed down sentences on April 17, with some defendants receiving three years' imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 each. Justice Itsueli delivered judgments on April 18, convicting ten defendants and imposing similar sentences.
In addition to the prison terms, the judges ordered the forfeiture of the defendants' electronic devices, bank account balances, and three vehicles - a Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, and Toyota Camry - which were identified as proceeds of crime. The convicted individuals were also required to commit to good behavior in writing.
The defendants' arrest followed intelligence gathered by EFCC operatives regarding their involvement in computer-related fraud. The charges against them included possession of documents containing false pretenses, as outlined in the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The convictions underscore the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combat cybercrime and ensure accountability for perpetrators operating within the country.
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