A 40-year-old banker, Andrew Nwadiashi, and eight internet fraudsters were on Friday, August 4, 2023, convicted and sentenced to prison by Justice M. Itsueli of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) disclosed this in a statement on Monday, August 7.
According to the EFCC, the others are Osawa Marvellous, Etinosa Ogieva, Erharruyi Osaigbovo, Isaac Godstime Eghosa, Obasohan Kelvin, Evans Jessa Mike, Timothy Odion and Festus Efe Iyengunmwena.
The anti-graft agency said Nwadiashi was arrested following a petition by First Bank sometime in 2020.
The EFCC said that as Head, Non-Financial Transaction at Warri branch of the bank in Delta State, the convict allegedly disregarded banking policy and debited a customer’s account to the tune of N9, 354,000.00.
The EFCC said that the banker confessed to the offence during investigation.
The eight other defendants were arrested following intelligence which linked them to internet fraud activities, the EFCC agency said.
“They were subsequently arraigned on separate one count charges bordering on stealing, retention of proceeds of illegal activities and unlawful possession of fraudulent documents by the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC.
“Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, I. M Elodi, IK Agwai, K.Y. Bello and Ibrahim Faisal to ask the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.
“Justice Itsueli convicted and sentenced Nwadiashi to two years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000. The defendant had fully paid the aggregate sum N9, 654,000.00, being the principal sum and interest, in restitution to the victim of crime.
“The court convicted and sentenced Marvellous, Odion, Ogieva and Iyengunmwena to three years imprisonment with an option of Three Hundred Thousand Naira as fine.
“The duo of Osaigbovo and Mike were each sentenced to three years imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira fine.
“Eghosa and Kelvin, each bagged one month imprisonment and a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira.
“Justice Itsueli ordered that a Toyota Lexus ES 330; Lexus E350, phone, laptops and the balance in the convicts’ bank accounts be forfeited to the Federal government of Nigeria,” the EFCC said.