An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has convicted and sentenced Iyamu Odeh Richie, a 33 year-old fashion designer, and two others to jail for internet fraud.
The two others are Ojo Destiny Osarobo and Honda Meluin.
The convicts’ journey to prison began following their arrest by operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, ECCC, for alleged involvement in internet fraud.
Trial judge in the matter was Justice Efe Ikponmwonba.
They were subsequently arraigned on separate one count charges bordering on unlawful possession of fraudulent documents and impersonation.
The charge against Onoriode Meluin reads:
“That you, Honda Meluin on or about March 23, 2023, in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this court did have in your possession on your iPhone 13 with IMEI number 35010884028511 documents which you knew or ought to have known contain a false pretence.
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He was alleged to have committed an offence contrary to section 6 read together with 8(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act ,2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act”.
Charge against Richie
The charge against Richie reads: “that you, Iyamu Richie (m) on or about May 30, 2023, in Benin, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this court did fraudulently impersonate the identity of Park SEO Jun, a Ukrainian citizen via internet.
He was alleged to have committed an offence contrary to section 22(2)(b)(ii) of the Cybercrime ( Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under section 22(2)(b)(IV) of the same Act”.
Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges prompting the prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Faisal and A. Bala-Ribah to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced each of the defendants to three years imprisonment with an option of N200,000.
The judge ruled that a bank cheque of N328,000 belonging to Honda, the balance of money in Osarobo’s bank account and phones recovered from them, being proceeds of crime, be forfeited to the Federal Government.