Three internet fraudsters: Asulewon Benjamin, Bright Omokinniovo and Bakare Shegun Olamide were on Thursday, November 3, 2022 convicted and sentenced to various jail terms by Justices A. T. Mohammed and P.M Ayua of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
They were arraigned by the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on separate one-count charge of impersonation.
The charge against Benjamin reads: “That you, Asulewon Benjamin sometime in 2022 fraudulently impersonated one Robert James with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrimes ( Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act".
They all pleaded guilty to their respective charges when they were read to them.
In view of their pleas, prosecution counsels: N. A. Dodo and C. Okorie prayed the courts to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, defence counsel: F. T. Fred-Boufini, O.E Ikere and Paula .O. Abudu pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.
Justice Mohammed convicted and sentenced Benjamin to two years imprisonment, or an option of Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N300.000.00) as fine. In the same vein, Justice Ayua convicted and sentenced Omokinniovo and Olamide to two years imprisonment each.
While Olamide was sentenced with an option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200, 000.00), Omokinniovo is to pay a fine of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (250,000.00) into the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The judges also ordered all the convicts to forfeit their phones to the government and undertake in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth.
Benjamin, Omokinniovo and Olamide started their journey to the Correctional Service when they were arrested at various locations in Port Harcourt and Warri, Delta State, for internet-related fraud activities.
Investigations linked all the three convicts to possession of fraudulent documents. They were also found to have falsely presented themselves to their unsuspecting victims with intent to gain advantage from them.
Media & Publicity
3 November, 2022