Six internet fraudsters have been sentenced to jail for internet-related offences in Benin, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said in a statement.
According to the statement released by the anti-graft agency on Monday 29th May 2023, the six internet fraudsters were identified as Agbonghae Anthony Osamudiamen, Akpobaro Jude , Godday Osaretin, Favour Uwaifo, Blessing Samson and Harry Akputu Donald.
They were on Friday, May 26, 2023 convicted and sentenced to various jail terms by Justice M. Itsueli of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City.
They were arraigned separately on one count charges by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for offences bordering on illegal possession of fraudulent documents and intent to defraud.
Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, I.M. Elodi and A.A.Ibrahim to pray the court to convict and sentenced them accordingly. However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants were first time offenders who have become remorseful of their actions.
Justice Itsueli thereafter convicted and sentenced Donald, Osaretin, and Uwaifo to three years imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira as fine.
Samson, Jude and Osamudiamen bagged two years imprisonment or a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira each.
Justice Itsueli ordered that the balance of N1,994,820.39 found in Osamudiamen’s First Bank account, one Lexus ES350 and phones recovered during investigation, being proceeds of crime, be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria and that the bank accounts closed.