On October 10, 2023, Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court in Benin City rendered a verdict of guilt and imposed prison sentences on an Individual named Endurance Agbi, who had engaged in impersonation, as well as ten other individuals involved in fraudulent activities.
The remaining individuals incarcerated alongside the primary subject include Sylvester Osatofoh Ebhoaiye, Edafe Promise, Christian Skinn, Ariomoghwa Lucky, Ogbebor Pricewill, Irikefe Prosper, Odiri Ejiro, Eyengho Richard, Apoi Ufouma, and Enabor Peter Odianosen. On Wednesday, October 10, 2023, Odianosen was incarcerated, whereas all other individuals were incarcerated on the preceding day, Tuesday.
The individuals were individually arraigned on a single charge of personation and unlawful possession of fake documents by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The accusation against Agbi states that between the dates of December 21, 2020, and January 8, 2021, in Benin City, Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this esteemed court, Agbi allegedly engaged in fraudulent activities by falsely presenting themselves as DR ODIDI, a herbal medical practitioner. This action is in violation of Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State) 1976, and is subject to punishment.
The accusation against Ebhoaiye states that he, Sylvester Osatofoh Ebhoaiye, allegedly engaged in fraudulent activities in Benin City between November 2022 and July 9, 2023. Specifically, he is accused of intentionally misrepresenting himself as Jones Walker, a verified and legitimate Bitcoin trader. This alleged action is considered an offense under Section 384 of the criminal Code Law of Edo state and is subject to punishment.
The accusation against Odianosen, as stated, alleges that on or around August 1, 2023, within the jurisdiction of this esteemed court, he was found in possession of documents on his Nokia C20 device with IMEI Number 35674897485052519. These documents were known or should have been known by Odianosen to contain false pretenses. Consequently, he has committed an offense that contravenes Section 6 and 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006, and is punishable under section 1(3) of the aforementioned Act.
During the arraignment process, the defendants entered pleas of guilty in relation to their individual counts. As a result, the prosecution counsels requested the court to convict and impose appropriate sentences upon them. Nevertheless, the legal representatives for the offenders implored the court to exercise leniency, urging a balanced approach that considers both justice and mercy, citing the defendants' demonstrated sorrow for their conduct.
Agbi was convicted and sentenced by Justice Ikponmwonba to a period of 12 months of imprisonment or alternatively a fine of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,000). Ebhoaiye, Skinn, Lucky, Richard, and Ufouma were collectively convicted and subsequently sentenced to a three-year term of incarceration, accompanied by the alternative option of paying a monetary punishment amounting to Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N300,000).
Princewill and Ejiro were sentenced to three years of imprisonment or a fine of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) apiece. Similarly, Promise and Prosper received a three-year prison sentence or a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000) each. Odianosen was sentenced to a term of three years' jail, or alternatively, given the option to pay a fine of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira only).
The judge ordered the forfeiture of two Toyota Venza, One Mercedes Benz GLK, One Lexus NX200, Honda accord 2013 model mobile phones and balances in the convicts’ bank accounts, being proceeds of crime, be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The court additionally mandated that the amount of $525.00, which was seized in cash from Agbi during the course of investigations, be remitted to the Federal Government of Nigeria's account via the EFCC, with the purpose of subsequently transferring it to the NFIU. Furthermore, the presiding court issued an order for the permanent closure of the bank accounts belonging to the convicted individuals.
Agbi and his fellow individuals embarked on their way to the Correctional Centre subsequent to their apprehension by operatives of the Commission. This arrest was made in response to credible intelligence received regarding their illicit operations across various sites inside Delta State. During the course of the inquiry, it was determined that they were implicated in various forms of cyber fraud.
Agbi's apprehension was facilitated by a cooperative effort by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), subsequent to the submission of a report detailing a transaction of $12,800 that raised suspicions regarding his account. The individual admitted to engaging in fraudulent activities on the internet, specifically by assuming the persona of Dr. Odidi, a traditional medical practitioner, in order to deceive and swindle naïve individuals from foreign countries.
