Joseph Bakare
The Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, between November 6 and 7, 2024 secured the conviction and sentence of seven internet fraudsters before Justice A.N Erhabor of Edo State High Court, sitting in Benin City.
The convicts are Johnson Matthew Ebosa, Marvelous Osayenma, Imoniwe Joshua, Michael Agbowemeh San, Alvin Nosakhare Osareni, Procoius Imoniwe and Mike Ajufo
They were prosecuted on one-count separate charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime and possession of fraudulent documents.
The charge against Johnson Matthew Ebosa reads: “That you Johnson Matthew Ebosa (m) 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 committed 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 the defendants pleaded guilty to their charges when they were read to them, prompting the prosecution counsel, F.A Jirbo, K Y. Bello, Isa K. Agwai, to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that they have become remorseful for their actions.
Justice Erhabor on Thursday November 7, convicted and sentenced Michael Agbowemeh San and Alvin Nosakhare Osareni to two years imprisonment or a fine of N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) each while the trio of Johnson Mathew Ebosa, Marvelous Osayenma and Imoniwe Joshua bagged three years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000.
On Wednesday, November 6, Justice Erhabor convicted and sentenced Precious Imoniwe to three years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) while Mike Ajufo bagged two years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000.
All the convicts forfeited their phones, laptops, and money in their respective bank accounts to the Federal Government of Nigeria, being proceeds of crime. They are also to undertake in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth.
The convicts’ journey to the Correctional Centre began following their arrest by operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC through a sting operation owing to their involvement in fraudulent internet activities.