Six Internet fraudsters, Uche Olisa Modebe, Ighodaro Omede, Osamwonyi Christopher Nicholas, Justice Obaje, Adefuwa Ajinde John and Anukwugha Destiny Nkada have been convicted and sentenced to jail terms by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City.

They were arraigned by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on one count charge bordering on personation, unlawful possession of fraudulent documents and retention of proceeds of crime.

Modebe, Omede, Nicholas, Adefuwa and Obaje were convicted and sentenced on November 8, 2022 while Nkada was convicted on November 7, 2022.

The charge against Adefuwa John reads : “that you, Adefuwa Ajinde John and Adebayo Opeyemi (at large ) on or about 16th December 2020, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did retain the sum of N480,000 transferred into your First Bank account number 3138888014 by Adebayo Opeyemi knowing that same represent proceeds of Adebayo Opeyemi’s criminal conduct, to wit: Cybercrime and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(b).of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act ,2004 and punishable under Section 17(b) of the Same Act”.

The charge against Omede reads: “that you, Ighodaro David Omede sometime in 2021 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud falsely represent yourself to be one Johnn cularge ( American citizen ) to Casseous and Chantal Larco, both white ladies, a representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 484 of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State)”.

Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty prompting the prosecuting counsel, F.O Dibang, I. K. Agwai and K.Y Bello to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Modebe , Osamwonyi Christopher Nicholas to four years imprisonment with an option of Three Hundred Thousand Naira fine.

The trio of Destiny Nkada, Justice Obaje and Adefuwa John were sentenced to three years imprisonment each or a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira each. Omede bagged three years imprisonment with an option of One Hundred Thousand Naira fine

The judge ordered that the balance of N288, 012.6 in the Union bank account belonging to Modebe, Mercedez Benz GLK 350 and phones recovered from the defendants which are proceeds of crime be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The judge also ordered that Modebe’s bank account domiciled in Union bank be closed forthwith

Media & Publicity

9 November, 2022