By ABIRHIRE THOMAS
Six internet fraudsters, Osahon Bright, Osahon Ebhohon Evans, Jeffery Osamwonyi, Louis Erharuyi, Obi Emeka and Omonzokpia Odion were on Tuesday June 7, 2022 convicted and sentenced to prison by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court and Justice (Professor) C. A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court sitting in Benin City.
They were arraigned by the Benin Zonal Command of the Commission separately on one count charge of impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.
The charge against Osahon Bright reads: “that you, Osahon Bright sometime between 2017 to 10th October, 2021 at Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently personate the identity of one Lee Chang, a white man with intent to defraud unsuspecting ladies 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 Obi Emeka reads: “that you, Emeka Obi sometime in 2021 at Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be Savanna Delivery Company, a Chinese Delivery Company by sending documents to unsuspecting Chinese ladies through Facebook 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”.
Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges, prompting the prosecution counsel , I.M. Elodi, Ibrahim Mohammed, KY Bello and F. A. Jirbo to ask the courts to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.
Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Bright and Erharuyi to three years imprisonment each with an option of N300,000 and N200,000 fine respectively The duo of Emeka and Elvans bagged two years imprisonment each with an option N300,000 and N100,000 fine respectively. Osamwonye bagged two years imprisonment with an option of N150,000 fine.
Justice Ikpomwonba also ordered that the Mercedes Benz 350 recovered from Osahon be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Phones recovered from the defendants in the course of investigation which are proceeds of crime are to be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Justice Obiozor convicted and sentenced Odion to five years imprisonment or a fine of N300,000. Odion is also to forfeit his phone to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
