EFCC secures conviction of 5 internet fraudsters

The EFCC, Benin Zonal Command  on May 12 secured the conviction of five internet fraudsters before Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court, Benin City.

The suspects are  Amogie Julius, Omogbon Friday Harry, Osaze Okoro, Lucky Tegiri and Omokhua Destiny

According to a statement by EFC spokesman Wilso Uwujaren, the five were arraigned on one count charge each for fraudulent impersonation and obtaining by false pretence. They had sometimes between 2020 to 2022, impersonated foreign nationals with intent to defraud unsuspecting members of the public of their hard earned money.

All the defendants pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against them prompting the prosecution counsel, A.A. Ozigbu and KY Bello, to praye the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

However, counsel to the defendants prayed the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants have become remorseful for their actions.

Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Destiny to three years imprisonment with an option of Three Hundred Thousand Naira as fine while Okoro bagged two years imprisonment or a fine of N300,000.

The duo of Julius and Friday were sentenced to two years imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira and One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira fine respectively. Tegiri bagged one year imprisonment or an option of N150,000 fine.

Justice Ikponmwonba also ordered that a landed property measuring 100 feet by 100 feet situated at Evboneka  in Ovie North East L.G.A  recovered from Julius  and phones of all the defendants which are proceeds of crime  be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.