Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has convicted and sentenced seven internet fraudsters to various jail terms.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which prosecuted the convicts, disclosed this in a statement.
The convicts are Ayokunle Victor, Enoferodion Kingsley Osadebamwen, Endurance Igbineweka, Ale Emmanuel Mayowa, Ojo Wonder Toluwani, Okolie Kelechi Kingsley and Olaleye Joshua Ayomide.
According to the statement, the convicts were sentenced on Wednesday, February 21.
They were jailed after pleading guilty to one-count separate charge bordering on obtaining by false pretences when they were arraigned by the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC.
The charge against Osadebamwen reads: “that you Kingsley Enoferodion Osadebamwen (m) on or about 10th day of February, 2024 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known contain a false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 6 and 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act.2006 and punishable under Section 1(3)of same Act.”
Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges when they were read to them.
Based on their pleas, prosecution counsels, F.A. Jirbo and Salihu Ahmed prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as they have become remorseful for their actions.
Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced the trio of Ayomide, Mayowa and Victor to three years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 each.
The duo of Igbineweka and Osadebamwen bagged three years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 each.
The judge also convicted and sentenced Kingsley to two years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 while Toluwani was sentenced to community service.
The judge ordered that the defendants forfeit their phones, balances in their various bank accounts and one black Mercedes Benz GLK 2010 model recovered from Osadebamwen being proceeds and instruments of crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
All the convicts are to undertake in writing to be of good behaviour afterwards.