Pay N1m Fine Or Spend Nine Years In Jail – Court Convicts Three ‘Yahoo Boys’ In Benin City

Three internet fraudsters, better known as “Yahoo Boys” have been slammed a nine-year-jail term by Justice M. Itsueli of the Edo State High Court, Benin City.

Three Internet Fraudsters Bag Nine Years Jail Term In Benin-City

The fraudsters, Osama Abraham Obasohan, Okunnuwa Moses and Osalenlen Celestine were convicted on Monday, August 29, 2022 after pleading guilty to one-count separate charge  bordering  on possession of  documents containing false pretence and retention of illegal proceeds of crime.

The convicts were however, given an option of N1m fine.

Their conviction was secured by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

A statement issued by the Spokesman of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren on Wednesday, said the charge against Osama Abraham Obasohan reads:

“that you Osama Abraham Obasohan sometime between 29 June, 2022 in Edo State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did retain the sum of One Million Nine Hundred and Thirteen Thousand, Five Naira Eighty One Kobo (N1,913,005.81) knowing that same represent proceeds of your criminal conduct to wit; Cybercrime and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, ( Establishment ) Act 2004 and punishable under Section 17(b) of the same Act”.

The statement also said upon arraignment, they all pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them by the EFCC.

According to the statement, based on their pleas, prosecution counsels:  Francis .A. Jirbo and K.Y. Bello  prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

“Justice Itsuele thereafter convicted and  sentenced Obasohan to five years imprisonment,  with an option of fine of N500,000(  Five Hundred Thousand Naira).    Moses bagged one year imprisonment with an option of fine of N300, 000(  Three Hundred Thousand Naira), while   Celestine bagged three years imprisonment or a fine of N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira),” it reads

“Additionally, the judge ordered that the total balance found in the convicts’  bank accounts, as well as phones: iPhone 7 plus; iphone 11 pro max; iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 pro max, being proceeds of crime, be forfeited to the Federal government of Nigeria.

“The convicts began their journey to the Correctional Centre when they were arrested by operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC for internet-related offences.  They were  investigated, prosecuted and eventually convicted.”

Meanwhile, Kanyi Daily had reported that Justice A.R.Mohammed of the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja convicted and sentenced two Yahoo Boys, Adikpo Diamond Aondover and Mathew Itodo Onyilo to one year imprisonment each.

Justice Mohammed however, gave them an option of N400k fine each.