“17 Individuals, Including Siblings, Convicted for Internet Fraud in Benin City”

By Milcah Tanimu

Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of a High Court in Benin City, Edo State, has sentenced two brothers, Ochuko Godfrey and Ochuko Prosper, along with 14 others, to various jail terms for internet fraud. The other convicted individuals 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.

They were separately arraigned on one-count charges of impersonation and possession of fraudulent documents by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The convictions stem from their alleged 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 pleading guilty to their respective charges, the judge sentenced them accordingly and ordered the forfeiture of their mobile phones, one HP Laptop, and the balances in their bank accounts, which were deemed proceeds of crime, to the Federal government of Nigeria. The court also mandated the closure of their bank accounts.