EFCC arrests 22 suspected internet fraudsters in Benin City, as Abuja court Jails four in Abuja
Stanley Ihedigbo
Operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), arrested 22 suspected internet fraudsters at different locations within Benin City, while Abuja Zonal Directorate secured the conviction of four in the same crime.
According to the Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Mr Dele Oyewale, the Benin Zonal Directorate arrested the suspects based on actionable intelligence regarding their suspected involvement in internet- related fraud.
Items recovered from them include 10 exotic cars, laptops and phones
The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
The convicts: Abdulrashid Umar, Ekemini Godwin, Anozie Emmanuel and Freedom John were jailed by Justice M. Adamu of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court Maitama on a one- count separate charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence.
Godwin’s count reads, “That you Ekemini Godwin sometime in 2024 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court committed the offence of cheating by personation when you pretended to be one Ryan Williams, a citizen of United States of America via Facebook social media account and as a result obtained the sum of $520 from one Hae-Yun who is from Pennsylvania and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 and punishable under 324 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the Federation 2004”
Emmanuel’s count reads, “That you Anozie Emmanuel sometime in 2024 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court committed the offence of cheating by personation when you pretended to be one Scammerpayback claiming to be a recovery person via Facebook social media account and as a result obtained the sum of $300 from one Ahabeb Ycehpeab who is from Krygystan and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 and punishable under 324 of the Penal Code Act, Laws of the Federation 2004”
They all pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them, prompting prosecution counsel S.N. Robert to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Justice Adamu convicted and sentenced Umar to one year prison term or a N300, 000 fine, Godwin, Emmanuel and John were sentenced to two years imprisonment each. While Godwin was fined N800, 000 , Emmanuel was fined N300, 000 and John got a N400, 000 fine.
Justice Adamu further ordered that all phones which were used as instruments to carry out their crimes be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The convicts’ journey to the Correctional Centre began when they were arrested for internet-related offences. They were later subsequently charged to court and convicted.
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