Internet fraudster gets four years jail term in Benin

Glory Ebomah

Justice C.A Obiozor of the Federal High Court sitting in Benin City on February 15, 2022, convicted and sentenced one Emmanuel Godwills (alias John Williams) to four years imprisonment for fraud.

The defendant was arraigned on a charge of fraudulent impersonation by the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC.

The charge reads: “That you Emmanuel Godwills (alias John Williams) sometime in May, 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently impersonates the identity of John Williams by fraudulently operating a WhatsApp account with a foreign telephone number +1(602)932-4644 belonging to you to chat with foreign women to invest in Bitcoin with telephone numbers +261324953329, + 6011-72685467 and +6322963821352 with the intent to obtaining money from them, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2) (b) (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under section 22(2) (b)(iv) of the same Act.”

Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said upon arraignment the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge.

In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Fredrick Dibang prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly. However, the defence counsel, A.S Akinfolarin pleaded for leniency as the defendant is a first-time offender who has become remorseful for his action.

Justice Obiozor convicted and sentenced the defendant to four years imprisonment with the option of a fine of Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N300, 000).

In addition, the defendant is to forfeit his mobile phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria. and undertakes to be of good behaviour.