No fewer than nine internet fraudsters have been convicted and sentenced to various jail terms by the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin, the state capital.

The convicts are Andrew Ayakanmi Joshua, Obazee Marvellous, Osiobe Joshua, Osariemen Favour, Edosa Ovbokhan, Emmanuel Eramiokhare, Cyril Osagie, Stephen Okiosi Osaiwe, and Muhammed Mudesiru Hussein

The internet fraudsters were jailed on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 23 and 24, 2024, after pleading guilty to one-count separate charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence, possession of fraudulent documents, and retention of proceeds of crime upon arraignment by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The charge against Eramiokhare read: “That you Emmanuel Eiramiokhae (m) sometime between 1st January 1 2019 and 4th April 2024 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did retain the aggregate sum of N97,392,707.75 knowing that same represent proceeds of Godstime (your chairman) criminal conduct to wit: cybercrime and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17 (a) Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004 and punishable under Section 17(b) of the same Act.”

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According to a statement issued by the EFCC on Friday, April 26, all the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges when they were read to them in court, prompting the prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Faisal and Salihu Ahmed, to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

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

The presiding judge, Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, on Tuesday, sentenced the trio of Eramiokhae, Joshua, and Favour to three years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 each while the duo of Ayakanmi Joshua and Obazee Marvellous bagged two years imprisonment or N100,000 fine each.

On Wednesday, the judge convicted and sentenced Ovbokhan to three years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000, Hussein bagged two years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000, while the duo of Osaiwe and Osagie were sentenced to community service.

Justice Ikponmwonba ordered the convicts to forfeit their phones, laptops, and balances in their various bank accounts, being instruments and proceeds of crime to the Federal Government.

All the convicts were to undertake in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth.

The Star