A High Court in Benin City, Edo State, presided over by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, has handed down convictions and varying jail sentences to two brothers, Ochuko Godfrey and Ochuko Prosper, as well as 14 other individuals. These convictions were related to charges of impersonation and possession of fraudulent documents, brought against them by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The other individuals convicted in this case include Prosper Enahoro, Ogheneoma Udolu, Raymond Edise, Akai Philip Onochie, Osayi Kennedy Obaseki, Joshua Ngerem, Oghogho Marvelous Ekpuke, Stanley David, Jackson Shebenor, Felix Orevaoghene Emmanuel, Gideon Onaiwu, Johnson Godspower Oghenevwegba, Godspower Emmanuel Jerimaiah, and Felix Wada.
These individuals were arrested by EFCC operatives due to actionable intelligence regarding their involvement in various forms of internet fraud. Ochuko Godfrey, for example, impersonated individuals named Richard Williams and Antonio Matthew in his attempts to defraud unsuspecting victims.
Upon their arraignment, all the accused individuals pleaded guilty to their respective charges. Consequently, they were convicted and received sentences as determined by the court.
Justice Ikponmwonba ordered the forfeiture of the convicts’ mobile phones, an HP laptop, and the funds in their bank accounts, which were considered proceeds of their criminal activities, to the Federal government of Nigeria. Additionally, the court mandated the closure of their bank accounts.
In a related case, Justice S. M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court in Benin City convicted and sentenced Anah Trust Avwerosuo to two years in prison or a fine of N200,000 for his involvement in internet fraud, where he had impersonated an American named Henri-Alva-Rezi to defraud his victims.
