Banker, eight Internet fraudsters bag jail terms in Benin City
07 August 2023 |
3:24 am
Justice M. Itsueli of Edo State High Court, sitting in Benin City, has sentenced a 40-year-old banker, Andrew Nwadiashi, and eight Internet fraudsters to several jail terms for fraud.
Justice M. Itsueli of Edo State High Court, sitting in Benin City, has sentenced a 40-year-old banker, Andrew Nwadiashi, and eight Internet fraudsters to several jail terms for fraud.
They were sentenced to prison upon their convictions on Friday, August 4, 2023. Others are Osawa Marvellous, Etinosa Ogieva, Erharruyi Osaigbovo, Isaac Godstime Eghosa, Obasohan Kelvin, Evans Jessa Mike, Timothy Odion, ‘m’, and Festus Efe Iyengunmwena.
Nwadiashi was arrested following a petition by First Bank Nigeria Plc sometime in 2020.
As Head, Non-Financial Transaction at Warri branch of the bank in Delta State, he allegedly disregarded banking policy and debited a customer’s account to the tune of N9,354,000. During the investigation, the banker confessed to the offence.
The other defendants were arrested following intelligence which linked them to Internet fraud activities. They were subsequently arraigned on separate one-count charge bordering on stealing, retention of proceeds of illegal activities and unlawful possession of fraudulent documents by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges, prompting the prosecuting counsel, I. M Elodi, IK Agwai, K.Y. Bello and Ibrahim Faisal ask the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.
Justice Itsueli convicted and sentenced Nwadiashi to two years imprisonment or option of a fine of N200,000. The defendant had fully paid the aggregate sum N9,654,000.00, being the principal sum and interest, in restitution to the victim of crime.
The court also convicted and sentenced Marvellous, Odion, Ogieva and Iyengunmwena to three years imprisonment with an option of N300,000 as fine. The duo of Osaigbovo and Mike were each sentenced to three years imprisonment with an option of N200,000 fine.
Eghosa and Kelvin, each bagged one-month imprisonment and a fine of N200,000. Justice Itsueli ordered that a Toyota Lexus ES 330; Lexus E350, phone, laptops and the balance in the convicts’ bank accounts be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
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