The Edo State High Court sitting in Benin, the state capital, has sentenced a teenager and three other internet fraudsters to various jail terms for fraud.
The convicts are Edah Edison, Akuche Cosmas Chigozie (a.k.a Philip Anderson), Iredia Endurance Eddy, and Uchechukwu Victory Tabowei.
They were arraigned separately on one count charge of impersonation, possession of fraudulent documents, and obtaining by false pretence by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) .
According to a statement issued by the EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, the internet fraudsters were arrested based on intelligence which linked them to alleged internet-related fraud activities.
He said during investigation, Edison, 23, who claimed to be a university graduate, was discovered to have impersonated Raymond Martin, a Bitcoin trader, in order to defraud unsuspecting victims.
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On his part, 19-year-old Iredia, an electronic apprentice, represented himself as Barrowman, a British dancer in order to defraud his victim.
The charge against Iredia read: “that you Iredia Endurance Eddy (m) sometime between 2019 and December 2021 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be Barrowman, a British dancer on your Instagram 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 defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, Francis Jirbo, Salihu Ahmed, and Ibrahim Faisal to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
The presiding judge, Justice M. Itsueli, convicted and sentenced Edison and Iredia to three years imprisonment with a fine option of N500,000 each.
Tabowei was sentenced to two years imprisonment with a fine option of N500,000, while Chigozie bagged one month imprisonment and a fine of N200,000.
Justice Itsueli ordered the convicts to forfeit their mobile phones to the Federal Government through the EFCC, while Iredia will, in addition, forfeit the balance in his bank accounts to the government for onward delivery to the nominal complainant.
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