Two internet fraudsters, Favour Aigbido and Obehi Oamen Kingsley were on Wednesday May 25, 2022, convicted and sentenced to prison by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City.

The duo were arraigned by the Benin Zonal Command of the Commission on a separate one count charge of fraudulent impersonation.

Aigbido falsely represented himself as Ahmad Michael, a Bitcoin miner, while Kingsley impersonated the identity of Chen Dale, a Japanese Engineer, to defraud unsuspecting victims.

The charge against Aigbido reads: “That you, Favour Aigbido sometime in February 2022 in Benin City within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud falsely represented yourself as one Ahmad Michael Marshedi (a Bitcoin Miner) on the Instagram platform and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48, Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State) 1976 and punishable under the same section”.

Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, A.A.Ozigbu to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

However, the defence counsel, Edaghese Gloria urged the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants were remorseful for their actions.

Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Aigbido to three years imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira fine. Kingsley was sentenced to five years imprisonment or a fine of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira.

Aigbido is to forfeit his Mercedes Benz C300 car acquired with the proceeds of crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The duo are also to forfeit their phones and undertake in writing to be of good behaviour.

Media & Publicity
25 May, 2022