EFCC secures convictions of six for internet fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have secured the conviction of six individuals for offences related to internet fraud, including the possession of fraudulent documents.

The cases were prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC

The convicts, identified as Precious Okeleke, Austine Iwuner, Saint Felix, Ododo Mathias, Idahosa Kelvin, and Bankole Adaranijo, faced one-count charges stemming from their involvement in cyber-related crimes.

Meanwhile in a separate court rulings, the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges, leading the prosecution counsel—F.A. Jirbo, I.M. Elodi, and K.Y. Bello—to request their conviction.

Defence lawyers, however, urged the courts to temper justice with mercy, citing the remorseful attitudes of the accused.

On December 10, Justice W.I. Aziegbemhin sentenced Precious Okeleke to two years’ imprisonment with the option of a ₦200,000 (£200) fine.

The following day, Justice F.A. Olubanjo handed Austine Iwuner a similar two-year sentence but with a ₦500,000 (£500) fine option.

Saint Felix and Ododo Mathias were each sentenced by Justice Erhabor to three years in prison or a ₦200,000 fine.

READ ALSO:EFCC arrests man for defrauding Australians of $8m

On December 12, Justice Aziegbemhin convicted Idahosa Kelvin and Bankole Adaranijo, sentencing them to two years’ imprisonment with a ₦200,000 fine option.

The convictions are part of the EFCC’s intensified efforts to curb cybercrime, which has drawn international scrutiny in recent years.

The antigraft agency also announced recently the arrest of a suspected online fraudster, Osang Otukpa, for allegedly duping 139 Australians to the tune of $AUD8,000,000.

Otukpa was arrested by the EFCC at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos upon arrival from the United States of America on Friday, December 6, 2024

A statement on Friday by the EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said Otukpa used five names which are Ford Thompson, Oscar Donald Tyler, Michael Haye, Jose Vitto and Kristin Davidson , to scam the victims.

He added that the suspect lured his victims on social media to invest in his rogue cryptocurrency investment platform, Liquid Asset Group.

EFCC  said the fight against internet fraud remains a priority, as such crimes undermine the nation’s reputation and economic stability.