Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City on Thursday, May 4, 2023, convicted and sentenced four internet fraudsters to jail for fraud.
Those convicted are Edemakhiota Osaretin, Ehiaguina Joel, Desmondehator Osarumwense and Jonathan Ibhazeh (aka Ehis Samson).
They were arraigned by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on separate one count charges bordering on possession of fraudulent documents, personation and intent to defraud.
The charge against Osaretin reads. “that you, Edemakhioya (m) sometimes between year 2020 and 2022 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be Jia Wing , a 40 year-old Chinese woman and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48, Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State),1976”
The charge against Joel reads: “that you, Ehiaguina Joel sometime between 2019 and March, 2023 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did have in your possession on your Samsung Galaxy Slot with IMEI number 354642101287689 documents which you knew or ought to have known contain a false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 read together with 8(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act,2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act”.
Upon arraignment the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges.
In view of their plea, prosecution counsel, I.M. Elodi and I.K. Agwai prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. However, the defence counsel pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants were first time offenders and have become remorseful for their actions.
Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Osaretin to three years imprisonment with an option of Five Hundred thousand Naira as fine while Joel bagged three years imprisonment or a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira .
Osarumwense bagged one year imprisonment or a fine of One Hundred Thousand Naira while Ibhazeh was sentenced to two years imprisonment or a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira.
Justice Ikponmwonba ordered that the sum of N3,922,322.57 N1,008,383.47 in the bank accounts of Ehiaguina and Osaretin be forfeited to the Federal government. Osaretin is also to pay the sum of N1,000,000 to the Federal Government in lieu of the forfeiture of a Gas Plant named Edema Global Oil and Gas Ltd belonging to him situated at Ahor Community, Benin-Auchi Road, Edo State.
The defendants are to forfeit a Toyota Venza, 2010 model and mobile phones, being proceeds of crime, to the Federal Government of Nigeria. through the EFCC.
The judge also ordered the closure of defendants bank accounts.
