The Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 secured the
conviction and sentence of five internet fraudsters before Justice M. Itsueli
of Edo State High Court, sitting in Benin City.
The convicts are, Ayo Korede, Ogbemudia Osaretin, Harry Ehimien, Osasumwen
Osahenator and Efosa Richard.
They were prosecuted on separate one-count charges, bordering
on impersonation, obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds
of crime and possession of fraudulent documents.
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The charge against Osaretin reads: "That you Ogbemudia Osaretin (m)
on or about the 31st of July, 2025 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable
Court did have in your possession, in your iPhone 14 Pro Max documents
which you knew or ought to have known contained a false pretence and thereby
committed an offence contrary to Section 6 and 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and
other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the
same Act.”
They all pleaded “guilty” to their charge, following
which the prosecution counsel, I. M. Elodi, I.K Agwai, K.Y. Bello, A. A.
Ibrahim, Ibrahim Faisal and M.S.Dahiru prayed the court to convict and
sentence them accordingly, while the defence counsel pleaded with the
court to temper justice with mercy, stating that they have become remorseful
for their actions.
Justice Itsueli convicted and sentenced Korede, Osaretin, Osahenator and
Richard to two years imprisonment, respectively or to pay N200,000
(Two hundred thousand Naira) fine, each, while he convicted
and sentenced Ehimien to two years imprisonment or to pay N100,000 (One
hundred thousand Naira) fine or do community service.
All the convicts forfeited their phones, laptop computers and balances in their
respective bank accounts, being the tools and proceeds of their
crimes, respectively to the federal government
and further undertook in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth.
The convicts were arrested by
operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, following credible
intelligence that exposed their involvements in fraudulent internet
activities.
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