Crime
BREAKING: Court Sends 24 Internet Fraudsters To Jail In Benin City
The Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has secured the conviction and sentence of 24 internet fraudsters to various jail terms by Justice G. O. Imadegbelo of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City.
The convicts are: Azubuike Godwin, Ejike Prince, Ebeli Onyeishi Precious, Uboh Nelson, Henry Frank Aizeyosagbov, Jeremiah Osazuwa Bright, Aigbovibosa Osarumwense, Destiny Osagie Monday, Kindrick Ugochukwu, Daniel Kenedy Evun, Orobosa Elvis Nosakhare, Eleadi Nice Chibueze, Edidiong Ndifreke, Stephen Holiness, Iyamu Edosa David, Nosakhare Aigbovibosa.
Others are Raymond Clinton Osariemen, Uhumona Destiny Osayomwenbor, Amos Godwin, Odion Victor, Ayomide Michael, Elijah Akpan Effiong, Tive David Enaike and Ofuma Uche Bright.
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They were prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Commission at different days in the month of July on separate one-count charges bordering on impersonation, obtaining by false pretence and possession of fraudulent documents.
The charge against Osarumwense reads: “That you Aigbovibosa Osarumwense (M) on or about the 25th of Day of June, 2024 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known contain false pretence thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 and 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
All the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges when they were read to them in court, prompting the prosecution counsel, F. A. Jirbo, I. M Elodi, I.K Agwai, K.Y. Bello and Ahmed Salihu and Bala Ribah to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as they have become remorseful for their actions.
Justice Imadegbelo on Tuesday July 2, 2024 convicted and sentenced Godwin, Prince, Precious and Nelson to three years imprisonment or a fine of N100, 000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) each.
On July 10, 2024, he convicted and sentenced Aizeyosabor, Bright, Osarumwense, Monday, Nosakhare, Chibueze, Holiness to three years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 while the trio of Ugochukwu, Evun and Ndifreke bagged two years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 each.
Justice Imadegbelo on Thursday July 11 convicted and sentenced David to two years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 while Aigbovibosa bagged five years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000.
On Wednesday July 17, Justice Imadegbelo convicted and sentenced the duo of Osariemen and Destiny to two years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 each. On Wednesday July 24, 2024, he convicted and sentenced Godwin, Victor, Michael, Effiong and Bright to community service while Enaike bagged three years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira)each.
The judge ordered the forfeiture of two Mercedes Benz GLK350 recovered from Osarumwense and Ugochukwu being proceeds of crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
All the convicts forfeited their phones, laptops, balances in their various bank accounts being instruments and proceeds of crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria. They are also to undertake in writing to be of good behaviour afterwards
The convicts’ road to the Correctional Centre began following their arrest by operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the Commission based on actionable intelligence regarding their involvement in computer related fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn the arrest warrant issued against Ezekiel Thankgod, the former manager of renowned gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo.
Biztellers reports that Thankgod is facing allegations of involvement in a $345,000 fraud case.
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The arrest warrant had been issued by Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court on January 16, 2025, following an ex parte application by the EFCC seeking to compel Thankgod’s appearance in court.
During a court session on Friday, EFCC counsel, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, applied to withdraw the warrant, stating that the charges had already been served on Thankgod’s lawyer, Mr. Monday Ubani, SAN, during open court proceedings.
She argued that the warrant was no longer necessary.
Justice Owoeye granted the application and formally vacated the bench warrant.
Oba Otudeko, Chairman of Honeywell Group, appeared in the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday to challenge charges of N12.3 billion fraud.
Biztellers reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 13-count indictment against Otudeko, along with Olabisi Onasanya, former Managing Director of FirstBank Plc., Soji Akintayo, a former board member of Honeywell, and Anchorage Leisure Ltd.
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During the proceedings, the defendants’ lawyer, Mr. Bode Olanipekun (SAN), raised an objection, stating that the charge had not been properly served to Otudeko or his co-defendants.
Olanipekun emphasized this issue as a reason for protest in court.
The EFCC has accused the individuals and the company of fraudulently obtaining N12.3 billion under false pretenses.
More to follow………..
Crime
Arrested Boko Haram Suspects: Adeleke Commends Security Operatives, Assures Safety Of Residents
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has commended the personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), on the successful operation, that led to the arrest of 10 suspected members of Boko Haram/Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Ilesa, Osun State.
Gov Adeleke expressed his feelings in a statement on micro-blogging site, X, on Saturday.
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According to the statement, Gov Adeleke hailed the alertness of security operatives, to eliminate the threats posed by the suspected terrorists, which gives further assurance that our security agencies are up to the task of sustaining peace and security of every part of Nigeria.
He particularly commended the intelligence gathering of the personnel of the State Service, who have painstakingly monitor the activities of the suspected criminals and moved swiftly to cut off their dastardly act.
“This is a welcome development and a big relief, not just for us as a government but to the people of the state and Nigeria in general. I commend the security operatives for their alertness and intelligence driven operation. We have absolute confidence in our security forces to keep protecting us”, Gov Adeleke declared.
He assured that his administration will continue to cooperate with security agencies and support their operations to ensure maximum protection of lives and property of Osun people, noting that this remains top of his priority.
“As the Chief Security Officer of Osun State, I will continue to give priority to issues of security of my people. I will continue to support efforts of security agencies to guard against any breakdown of law and order in any part of Osun. We will sustain the good relationship and collaboration that currently exists between our administration and the security agencies in the state” the Governor noted.
Gov Adeleke enjoined residents of Osun to continue to be watchful, and report any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods to relevant security agency, while assuring that Osun will continue to be a peaceful state under his watch.
“I hereby call on my people to continue to live in peace and harmony and be at alert to report any suspicious activities or behavior around them to the relevant security authorities. Together, we will ensure that Osun remains the most peaceful state in Nigeria” he concluded.
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