Richard Anyebe
An internet fraudster, also known as “Yahoo Boy”, Ogundele Oluwaseun Solomon, has pleaded with an Edo State High Court to temper justice with mercy after he was arraigned by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
‘Yahoo Boy’
Solomon was arraigned on Thursday, September 1, before Justice M. Itsueli of Edo State High Court by the EFCC on one-count charge bordering on advance fee fraud.
Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren in a statement on Thursday said, Solomon pleaded guilty to the one-count charge when it was read to him.
The charge reads: “that you Ogundele Oluwaseun Solomon (a.k.a Rick Rick ) between May to July, 2022 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did with intent to defraud had in your possession documents you knew contain false pretence to wit: scammed mails and with different subject matters and pictures in your iPhone 12 pro max number 35672518424441 which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud related offences Act 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of same Act.”
Court Sends ‘Yahoo Boy’ To Jail In Benin
According to the EFCC statement, “Based on his plea, prosecution counsel, F.O. Dibang, prayed the court to convict and sentence him accordingly. However, defence counsel, A.S Akinfolarin prayed the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendant was a first-time offender and remorseful for his action.
“Justice Itsuele convicted and sentenced Solomon to two years imprisonment with an option of fine of N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira). He forfeited an Iphone 12 promax recovered as proceeds of crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“Solomon’s journey to the Correctional Centre began when he was arrested by operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC, for internet-related offences. He was charged to court and convicted.”
Kanyi Daily had previously reported that Justice M. Itsueli had on Monday, August 29, 2022, in Benin City, convicted and sentenced three “Yahoo Boys” to nine years in jail.
The judge convicted them after they pleaded 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.
