Court sentences Edo Varsity graduate, 10 others to Prison for Internet fraud

Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City, presided over by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba has convicted and sentenced to prison Ohenhen Victor Ikponwosa, a 36-year-old graduate of Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma and 10 others on Tuesday, June 20, for internet fraud.

The other convicts are Iredia Junior Ehis, Awe Macdonald, Azanuwa Junior, Kelvin Akenuwa, Godspower Oghenekohwa, Collins Daniel, Junior Osarobo, Marvis Ogbodaga Osemudiamen, Jephthah Eromosele and Christopher Christian Dickson.

The convicts began their journey  to prison  following their arrest based on intelligence on their nefarious activities by operatives of Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC and subsequent arraignment on separate one count charges each bordering on possession of alleged proceeds of crime,  false representation and unlawful possession of fraudulent documents, contrary to Sections 17(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( Establishment) Act, 2004 and punishable under Section 17(b) of the same Act.

The defendants, however, upon arraignment pleaded guilty to their respective charges prompting the prosecution counsel, I.M. Elodi, Salihu Ahmed and KY Bello to pray the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.

However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants were first time offenders who had turned a new leaf.

Justice Ikponmwonba thereafter convicted and sentenced Osemudiamen, Ikponwosa and Ehis to three years imprisonment with an option of N200, 000 fine.

The foursome of Akenuwa, Macdonald, Dickson, Oghenekohwa bagged two years imprisonment with an option of N100,000 fine while Eromosele, Oserobo, and Daniel were sent to three years imprisonment with an option of N100,000 fine.

The judge sent Junior to two years imprisonment with an option of N200, 000 fine.

The judge also ordered that a Lexus RX 330 car and phones recovered during investigation, being proceeds of crime, be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria