Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on Friday, April 9, convicted and sentenced 11 internet fraudsters to various prison terms, for fraud.
Those convicted are Anhwo Samson, Harry Omo-egbekun Hamilton, Odiase Martins, Okuson Godspower, Destiny Ighalo, Andrew Onoyoa, Omebu Happy, Enofe Michael, Adelakun Abdulkareem, Akpowowo Favour, and Imaah Joseph.
The convicts were prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for offences bordering on impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.
The charge reads: “that you Anhwo Samson (aka Anhwo Samcity), Adelakun Abdulkareem (aka Terry Walker), Omebu Happy (aka Christ David), Imaah Joseph (aka Pietro Jones) Enofe Michael (aka Charlotte Crypto B.T.C Dan Trader) and Akpowowo Favour Omanufogho (aka Prof. Melisa Dan) on or about the 10 day of July 2020 at Efemena Close, Ozoro within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspired to defraud by sending electronic messages materially misrepresenting facts to white women with intent to defraud them and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 14(2) the same Act”.
They all pleaded guilty to one count charge each preferred against them by the Commission.
In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, Ahmed Arogha prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.
However, John Okhuihievbe and O.A. Egharevba, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants were first-time offenders who had become remorseful.
