A Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, presided over by Justice F. A. Olubanjo and Justices A.N. Erhabor, including W.I. Aziegbemhin of Edo State High Courts in Benin City, Edo State have convicted seven internet fraudsters to various jail terms.
The convicts are Precious Okeleke, Austine Iwuner, Saint Felix, Ododo Mathias, Idahosa Kelvin, Bankole Adaranijo, Owie Osasenago Stephen.
They were prosecuted on one-count separate charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime and possession of fraudulent documents by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Commission.
The charge against Okeleke reads: “That you Precious Okeleke (m) on or about the 30th of October, 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable 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, F.A Jirbo, I.M Elodi and K Y. Bello to pray the courts to convict and sentence them accordingly.
However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that they have become remorseful for their actions.
Precious Okeleke, was convicted and sentenced by Justice W.I Aziegbemhin to two years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000, while Austine Iwuner was convicted and sentenced by Justice F.A Olubanjo to two years imprisonment or a fine of N500,000.
Also, Justice Erhabor convicted and sentenced Saint Felix and Ododo Mathias to three years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000.
All the convicts forfeited their phones, laptops, and balances in their respective bank accounts to the Federal Government of Nigeria as proceeds of crime and to undertake in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth.
The convicts’ journey to the Correctional Centre began following their arrest by operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC through a sting operation owing to their involvement in fraudulent internet activities.
