Four internet fraudsters, Osamudiamen Efosa, John Ogbodo, Clinton Amanemiye and James Collins Oghenetega were on Monday sentenced to prison by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin, the state capital.

The quartet were separately arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on one count charge of impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.

The internet fraudsters said to have impersonated foreign nationals with intent to defraud them.

The charge against Efosa read: “That you, Osamudiamen Efosa (m) sometime between November, 2018 and 12th September, 2021 at Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be Mark Roland 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 Ogbodo read: “That you, John Ogbodo between January and March, 2022 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud falsely represent yourself to be one Erickson, a Chinese on Instagram account created by you 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 ) 1976”

Following their arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges, prompting the prosecution counsel I.K.Agwai and K.Y. Bello prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

However, the defence counsel pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants had become remorseful for their actions.

Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced the trio of Efosa, Amanimeye and Oghenetagha to two years imprisonment each with a fine option of N200,000, N300,000 and N250,000 each, while John Ogbodo bagged one year imprisonment with an option of N150,000  fine.

The presiding judge also ordered the forfeiture of their phones to the Federal Government, while Efosa was ordered to forfeit the balance in his various bank accounts to the Federal Government.

The Star