Richard Anyebe
Fourteen internet fraudsters, popularly known as “Yahoo Boys” have been convicted by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court Benin City.
The conviction of the “Yahoo Boys” was secured by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The “Yahoo Boys” were arraigned on a separate one-count charge of fraudulent personation.
The convicts are Gift Patrick, Lucky Paul Omofureta, Elvis John Mathew, Jeremiah Rebirth Umoru, Alex Aimuawosa Yuodegha, and Daniel Mathew.
Others are; Edefe Isaiah, Ese Isaiah, Osas Igho Amos, Destiny Aghayere, Christian Oghenekewe, God’s power Osabuohien, Wisdom Christopher, and Favour Osaghale
The charge against Edefe Isaiah reads: “That you, Edefe Isaiah (M) sometime between 2021 and 15th December 2022 in Benin City, Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be Cheng Hen and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48, Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State) 1976”.
The charge against Daniel Mathew reads: “That you, Daniel Mathew (M) sometime between the month of May and 15th December 2022 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be Martin Strauss, an Orthopedic Doctor from USA and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap.48, Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State) 1976.”
The defendants upon arraignment pleaded guilty to their respective charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, Francis. A.Jirbo to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. However, counsel to the defendants, A.J. Benga prayed to the court to temper justice with mercy as they have become remorseful for their actions.
Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Isaiah to three years imprisonment with an option of a Two Hundred Thousand Naira fine.
Furthermore, Patrick, Omofureta, Mathew, Umoru, Yuodegha, Isaiah, Amos, Aghayere, Oghenekewe, Christopher, and Osabuohien bagged two years imprisonment or a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira each.
However, the duo of Mathew and Osaghale were sentenced to community service.
The judge also ruled that the convicts forfeit their phones and laptops being instruments of fraud to the Federal Government of Nigeria through the EFCC.
In other news, Kanyi Daily reported that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized 13,125 kilogrammes of drug substances and arrested 793 suspects in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The NDLEA Commander of the FCT, Kabir Tsakuwa, stated this at a pre-event press briefing on grassroots sensitisation and awareness campaign on the dangers of illicit drugs in Abuja on Tuesday.
