Seven individuals convicted of internet fraud have been sentenced to various jail terms by courts in Asaba and Benin after pleading guilty to charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The sentences, delivered between December 10 and 12, were handed down by Justice A.N. Erhabor and Justice W.I. Aziegbemhin of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City, as well as Justice F.A. Olubanjo of the Federal High Court in Asaba.
According to a statement from EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the convicted fraudsters are: Precious Okeleke, Austine Iwuner, Saint Felix, Ododo Mathias, Idahosa Kelvin, Bankole Adaranijo, and Owie Osasenago Stephen.
The defendants were charged with offences including obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime, and possession of fraudulent documents. The charges were filed under relevant provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006.
One of the charges against Precious Okeleke stated:
“That you, Precious Okeleke, on or about the 30th of October, 2024, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known contained false pretence, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 6 and 8(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
All defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges. Prosecution counsels F.A. Jirbo, I.M. Elodi, and K.Y. Bello urged the court to convict and sentence the accused. Defense lawyers pleaded for leniency, citing remorse from the defendants.
Sentencing Overview:
- **December 10:** Justice W.I. Aziegbemhin sentenced Precious Okeleke to two years imprisonment or a fine of ₦200,000, and Austine Iwuner received two years imprisonment or a fine of ₦500,000 from Justice F.A. Olubanjo.
- **December 11:** Justice Erhabor sentenced Saint Felix and Ododo Mathias to three years imprisonment each or a fine of ₦200,000.
- **December 12:** Justice Aziegbemhin sentenced Idahosa Kelvin and Bankole Adaranijo to two years imprisonment or a fine of ₦200,000 each, while Owie Osasenago received three years imprisonment or a fine of ₦200,000.
The courts also ordered the forfeiture of the convicts’ phones, laptops, and bank balances to the Federal Government as proceeds of crime. Each convict must also provide a written undertaking to exhibit good behaviour moving forward.
The EFCC disclosed that the convicts were apprehended through sting operations by its Benin Zonal Directorate, which targeted individuals involved in fraudulent online activities.
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