Edo court sentences 2 brothers, 15 others for internet fraud
In a recent court ruling on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court in Benin City handed down convictions and varying jail terms to two brothers, Ochuko Godfrey and Ochuko Prosper, as well as 14 other individuals. This legal action comes as a result of their involvement in impersonation and possession of fraudulent documents, as brought forth by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The remaining individuals convicted are Prosper Enahoro, Ogheneoma Udolu, Raymond Edise, Akai Philip Onochie, Osayi Kennedy Obaseki, Joshua Ngerem, Oghogho Marvelous Ekpuke, Stanley David, Jackson Shebenor, Felix Orevaoghene Emmanuel, Gideon Onaiwu, Johnson Godspower Oghenevwegba, Godspower Emmanuel Jerimaiah, and Felix Wada.
READ ALSO: Edo court convicts 2 internet fraudsters
Following their arrests, which were made possible through the efforts of the EFCC, it was revealed that the convicts had engaged in various forms of internet fraud. For instance, Ochuko Godfrey had impersonated individuals such as Richard Williams and Antonio Matthew in his fraudulent activities.
During their arraignment, all the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges. This consequently led the prosecution counsel, including F.A. Jirbo, I.M Elodi, I.K Agwai, A. A. Ibrahim, I.Faisal, and AS Bala-Riba, to request the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Justice Ikponmwonba subsequently sentenced Udolu, Idise, Ngerem, Emmanuel, Jerimaiah, and Onaiwu to three years imprisonment or a fine of Three Hundred Thousand Naira. Enahoro and David were each given three years imprisonment with an alternative of Five Hundred Thousand Naira. Shebenor, Ekpuke, Prosper, Godfrey, Wada, and Oghenevwegba received three years imprisonment or a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira each. Onochie was sentenced to two years imprisonment, or a fine of Four Hundred Thousand Naira, while Obaseki was handed three years imprisonment or a fine of One Hundred Thousand Naira.
Furthermore, the judge ordered the forfeiture of the convicts’ mobile phones, one HP Laptop, and the balance in their bank accounts, which were identified as proceeds of crime, to the Federal government of Nigeria. The court also mandated the closure of the convicts’ bank accounts.
In a separate but related case, Justice S. M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court in Benin City convicted and sentenced Anah Trust Avwerosuo to two years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 for his involvement in internet fraud. Avwerosuo had impersonated an American named Henri-alva-rezi in order to defraud unsuspecting victims.
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