Hair Stylist Bags Two Years Imprisonment For Internet Fraud In Benin

Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, convicted and sentenced Idoko Innocent, a hair stylist, to two years imprisonment for internet fraud.

The convict’s journey to prison began following his arrest by operatives of the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for his involvement in internet fraud.

He allegedly fraudulently represented himself as one Don Smart, a white man in his attempt to defraud unsuspecting victims, an offence contrary to and punishable under section 384(1) of the Criminal Code Law of Edo State Law, 2022

Upon arraignment, he pleaded guilty to the charge, prompting the prosecution counsel,  K.U.Udus to pray the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.

However, Pascal Ugbome, the defence counsel, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendant was a first-time offender.

Justice Ikponmwonba thereafter convicted and sentenced Innocent to two years imprisonment with an option of a One Hundred Thousand Naira fine.

In addition, the court ordered the convict to forfeit his mobile phone recovered in the course of the investigation to the Federal Government of Nigeria through the EFCC.

A statement issued on Wednesday evening by the EFCC Spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren said the convict’s bank account used as an instrument of crime was ordered closed.

In other news, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has defended why marijuana use is criminalised in Nigeria as opposed in other countries such as the UK, the US, and Canada.