By Paul Michael
The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, May 26, 2022, secured the conviction of two internet fraudsters, Aigbe Joseph and Adefulire Abiodun before Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court, Benin City.
Joseph and Abiodun were arraigned on one count each – fraudulently representing themselves in order to defraud unsuspecting victims.
The charge against Aigbe Joseph reads, “That you, Aigbe Joseph sometime between 2019 and 21st February 2022 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be Jeannette Provencal, a lady based in the United States of America, 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 defendants pleaded guilty to the charges when they were arraigned prompting the prosecution counsel, A.A. Ozigbu asked the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
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However, counsel to the defendants, A.S. Adeshina and A.S. Akinfolarin pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants have become remorseful for their actions.
Justice Ikponmwonba sentenced Joseph to three years imprisonment with an option of a Two Hundred Thousand Naira fine while Adefulire Abiodun bagged two years imprisonment with an option of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira fine.
The judge also ordered that the Mercedes Benz C300 car recovered from Joseph at the point of arrest and the balances in his bank accounts be forfeited to the Federal Government. The convicts also forfeit their phones, being proceeds and instruments of fraud, to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
In a similar development, Justice A .T. Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has convicted and sentenced Abiye Dokubo to two years imprisonment for impersonation.
A statement by the Spokesperson of EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, on Thursday said Dokubo was convicted on May 19, 2022, on a one-count charge bordering on impersonation, upon his arraignment by the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the EFCC.
The count-charge read, “That you Abiye Dokubo on or about the 10th of November, 2021 at Eagle Island, Port Harcourt within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court fraudulently impersonated yourself to be one Nina Lambert via your Telegram account with the intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (1) of Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) of the same Act”.
He pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel, J .N. Dogonyaro prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.
Justice Mohammed convicted and sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment, with an option of a fine of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100, 000) payable into the Consolidated Revenue Fund Account of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The court also ordered that the phones recovered from the convict be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
