Two Internet fraudsters, Kelvin Ehimen Okonedo and Godwill Jacob were on Thursday March 31, 2022, convicted and sentenced to prison by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City.

The duo were arraigned by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on one count charge of impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.

One of the defendants, Kelvin Okonedo fraudulently impersonated Kelvin Richard, an American soldier by sending his pictures to unsuspecting Korean ladies through the internet with the intent to defrauding them. On his part, Jacob claimed to be Chen Changchun, a Korean, to defraud unsuspecting victims.

Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to the charge. In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, Austin Ozigbu, prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants in accordingly.

Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Okonedo to four years imprisonment or a fine of N300,000. Okonedo is to forfeit the sum of Nine Hundred and Twenty Seven Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twenty Seven Naira (N927, 927) being balance in his bank account to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Jacob bagged five years imprisonment or a fine of N500,000. Both defendants are to forfeit their phones and undertake in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth.

Media & Publicity

March 31, 2022