The EFCC of the Nigerian police has arrested three suspects, arraigned them in court, and have been sentenced to prison for committing internet fraud.
Internet fraud is gradually becoming a normal work for most youths today, they stay indoors and use their knowledge and tricks to rip people off their hard-earned money for their selfish gains. There have been countless open arrests and sentences concerning these matters, however, the youth seems not to change from such acts as far as they have not been caught.
However, these three culprits' luck run out, and they were apprehended and sentenced to prison. The three culprits are Osahenkhoe Godstime, David Courage Omkagbo, and Obikolu Lawrence Chuwuneku.
Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, sentenced three internet fraudsters to prison for fraud.
The three culprits, Osahenkhoe Godstime, David Courage Omkagbo, and Obikolu Lawrence Chuwuneku, were arraigned on one count charge each by the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC for the fraudulent act, impersonation, and obtaining by pretense.
The charge against Godstime reads: “that you, Osahenkhoe Godstime (M) between 2020 to October 2022in Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently impersonate the identity of one Ashleefx3, an American on your Instagram account with the intent to defraud unsuspecting investors in bitcoin business and thereby committed an offense 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.
Given their pleas, the prosecution counsel, I. K. Agwai plea to the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, the defense counsel, Aitenoria Philip pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants were remorseful for their actions.
Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced the defendants to three years imprisonment each. The duo of Godstime and Omokagbo were given an option of N100, a 000 fine each while Chukwuneku got an option of an N150,000 fine.
The court also ordered Godstime and Omokagbo to produce their cars, Lexus RX350 and Mercedes Benz GLK 2015 model, and mobile phones to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The news has gone viral and internet users praised the court for serving justice to them to serve as a deterrent to future perpetrators.