Courts in Benin, Asaba send seven Internet fraudsters to jail

 Etim Effiong

Justices A.N. Erhabor and W.I. Aziegbemhin of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City and Justice F. A. Olubanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Asaba between December 10 and 12 convicted and sentenced seven internet fraudsters to various jail terms.

Precious Okeleke, Austine Iwuner, Saint Felix, Ododo Mathias, Idahosa Kelvin, Bankole Adaranijo, Owie Osasenago Stephen are the convicts.

A statement signed by Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale on Friday, 13 December 2024, noted that the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Commission prosecuted them on one-count separate charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime, and possession of fraudulent documents.

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 court 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 on Tuesday, December 10, convicted and sentenced by Justice W.I Aziegbemhin to two years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira), while Austine Iwuner was convicted and sentenced by Justice F.A Olubanjo to two years imprisonment or a fine of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira).

On Wednesday, December 11, Justice Erhabor convicted and sentenced Saint Felix and Ododo Mathias to Three years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira).

Justice Aziegbembin on Wednesday, December 12 convicted and sentenced Idahosa Kelvin and Bankole Adaranijo to two years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) each while Owie Osasenago bagged 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.