EFCC secures conviction of 17 Internet fraudsters in Benin

Court remands alleged Internet fraudster in police custody
Justice Igho Braimoh of the Edo State High Court in Benin City has convicted and sentenced 17 Internet fraudsters to various jail terms.

The Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted them on charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence and possession of fraudulent documents.

The convicts are Oserei John Vianny, Osaro Moses, Desmond Okoduwa, Obi Isaac, Joshua Omoruyi, Iyabosa Omoruyi, Jeffery Omoruyi, Odion Alex Idada, Aisosa Aiyeki, Prosper Aimiomwona, Cherish Omoruyi, Kelly Omoruyi, Victor Osaze, Obobor Moses, Timothy Ogie, Osemuahu Godspower, and Bonny Stephen.

The charge against Oserei John Vianny reads: “That you, Oserei John Vianny (m), on or about June 10, 2024, within the jurisdiction of this 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, I.K. Agwai, Ibrahim Faisal, and Ahmed Salihu, to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

However, counsel for the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that they had become remorseful for their actions.

Justice Braimoh afterwards convicted and sentenced Vianny, Idada, Cherish Omoruyi, Kelly Omoruyi, Aisosa Aiyeki, Obobor Moses, and Osaro Moses to two years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 each. At the same time, Iyobosa Omoruyi, Joshua Omoruyi, Aimiomwona, Ogie, Godspower, Stephen, Jeffery Omoruyi, Osaze, and Isaac each bagged three years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 each. Desmond was handed three years imprisonment or a fine of N500,000.

The judge also ordered the forfeiture (to the federal government) of a Toyota Camry, Mercedes Benz 350, Rav4 Toyota, and Mercedes Benz C300 recovered from Desmond Okoduwa, Isaac, and Aisosa Aiyeki, being the proceeds of their crime.

All the convicts forfeited their phones, laptops, and money in their respective bank accounts and undertook in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth.

Also, a Chief Magistrate’s court in the Tinubu area, Lagos, ordered the Inspector General of Police to remand an alleged Internet fraudster, Adelaja Oluwafemi, in police custody for 30 days.

Chief Magistrate B. A. Sonuga gave the order following a motion by Morufu Animashaun, an officer of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (ForceCID), Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos.

Sonuga granted the motion and adjourned to October 15, for mention.