The Edo State High Court sitting in Benin, the state capital, has convicted and sentenced 17 internet fraudsters to various jail terms.

The convicts are Oserei John Vianny, Osaro Moses, Desmond Okoduwa, Obi Isaac, Joshua Omoruyi, Iyabosa Omoruyi, Jeffery Omoruyi, Odion Alex Idada, Aisosa Aiyeki, Prosper Aimiomwona,

Others include Cherish Omoruyi, Kelly Omoruyi, Victor Osaze, Obobor Moses, Timothy Ogie, Osemuahu Godspower, Bonny Stephen

The internet fraudsters were prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on separate one-count charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence and possession of fraudulent documents.

The charge against Oserei read: “That you Oserei John Vianny (m) on or about the 10th of June, 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known contain 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 respective charges when they were read to them in court, prompting the prosecution counsel, I.K Agwai, Ibrahim Faisal, and Ahmed Salihu to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

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However, the defence counsel pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, saying the internet fraudsters have become remorseful for their actions.

The presiding judge, Justice Igho Braimoh, convicted and sentenced Oserei John Vianny, Odion Idada Alex, Cherish Omoruyi, Kelly Omoruyi Aisosa Aiyeki, Obobor Moses, and Osaro Moses to two years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 each, while Iyobosa, Joshua, Prosper, Timothy Ogie, Osemuahu Godspower, Bonny Stephen Jeffery Omoruyi, Victor Osaze, and Obi Isaac bagged three years imprisonment with a fine option of N200,000.

The judge also convicted and sentenced Desmond to three years imprisonment or a fine of N500,000.

Justices Braimoh ordered the forfeiture of a Toyota Camry, Mercedes Benz 350, Rav4 Toyota, Mercedes Benz C300 recovered from Desmond, Isaac, and Aiyeki being proceeds of crime to the federal government.

All the convicts, according to a statement issued by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, on Thursday, September 5, 2024, are also to forfeit their phones, laptops, balances in their various bank accounts, being instruments and proceeds of crime to the federal government and undertake in writing to be of good behaviour afterwards.

The Star