The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday July 18, 2022, secured the conviction of six internet fraudsters before Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City for fraud.

The convicts are Imariable Aisosa Collins, Ofuoku Raymond Diamond, Peace Omaghomi, Eze Solomon, Akeer Kelly and Nonso Nwakor

They were arraigned separately on one count charge bordering on intent to defraud and fraudulent personation. They impersonated foreign nationals to defraud unsuspecting victims.

The charge against Imariable Aisosa Collins reads: “that you, Imariable Aisosa Collins sometimes between October 2021 and February 2022 in Benin City Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be Edward Donald residing in Atlanta, USA, on Instagram platform and 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 charge against Ofuoku Raymond Diamond reads: “that you, Ofuoku Raymond Diamond (M) sometime between 2021 and 23rd May, 2022 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be Yusuf Mohammed, a United Arab Emirate citizen and 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”

Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, I.M Elodi and I.K Agwai to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

However, counsel to the defendants, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants have become remorseful for their actions.

Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced the duo of Diamond and Solomon to three years imprisonment with an option of Three Hundred Thousand Naira fine each. The duo of Collins and Nwankwo also bagged two years imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira and Three Hundred Thousand Naira fine respectively.

Kelly was sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira fine.

Justice Ikponmwonba ordered that a white Mercedes Benz C350 recovered from Collins be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria while the sum of One Million, Eight Hundred and Forty Nine Thousand, One Hundred and Sixteen Naira, Sixty Kobo (N1,849,116.60) found in United Bank for Africa account and the sum of Five Hundred and Fifty Four Thousand Nine Hundred and Sixty Eight Naira Ninety Nine Kobo (N554,968.99) in First Bank account of Ofuoku Raymond Diamond, being proceeds of crime, be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

All the defendants are also to forfeit their phones to the Federal Government of Nigeria and undertake i to be of good behaviour.

Media & Publicity

18 July, 2022