Impersonator, 10 others sentenced to jail in Benin

Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court in Benin City, on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, convicted and sentenced an impersonator named Endurance Agbi, along with 10 other individuals involved in fraudulent activities, to various terms of imprisonment.

The additional convicts are Sylvester Osatofoh Ebhoaiye, Edafe Promise, Christian Skinn, Ariomoghwa Lucky, Ogbebor Pricewill, Irikefe Prosper, Odiri Ejiro, Eyengho Richard, Apoi Ufouma, and Enabor Peter Odianosen. While Odianosen was sentenced on Wednesday, October 10, 2023, all others received their sentences on Tuesday.

They were separately charged with personation and unlawful possession of fraudulent documents by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Agbi’s charge stated that between December 21, 2020, and January 8, 2021, in Benin City, Edo State, he represented himself as DR ODIDI, a herbal medical practitioner, with intent to defraud, contravening Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law.

Ebhoaiye’s charge indicated that between November 2022 and July 9, 2023, in Benin City, he falsely presented himself as Jones Walker, a verified and legitimate Bitcoin trader, with intent to defraud, violating Section 384 of the Criminal Code Law.

Odianosen’s charge specified that on or about August 1, 2023, he had in his possession on a Nokia C20 documents containing false pretense, violating Sections 6 and 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006.

Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty, leading the prosecution counsels to request conviction and appropriate sentencing. However, the defense counsels urged the court to show mercy, stating that the defendants were remorseful.

Justice Ikponmwonba sentenced Agbi to 12 months imprisonment or a fine of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,000). Ebhoaiye, Skinn, Lucky, Richard, and Ufouma were each sentenced to three years imprisonment with an option of Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N300,000) fine. Princewill and Ejiro received three years imprisonment or a fine of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) each, while Promise and Prosper were sentenced to three years imprisonment or a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000) each. Odianosen also received three years imprisonment or an option of a fine of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) only.

The judge ordered the forfeiture of assets and bank account balances acquired through criminal activities to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Additionally, $525.00 recovered in cash from Agbi was directed to be paid to the Federal Government of Nigeria’s account through the EFCC for onward delivery to the NFIU. The judge also ordered the permanent closure of the convicts’ bank accounts.

The journey to the Correctional Centre began for Agbi and his co-travellers following their arrest by EFCC operatives, based on actionable intelligence regarding their fraudulent activities in different locations in Delta State. Subsequent investigations revealed their involvement in various forms of internet fraud.

Agbi, in particular, was apprehended through a collaborative effort between the EFCC and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) after a suspicious transaction report of $12,800 was flagged on his account. He admitted to being an internet fraudster and to impersonating Dr. Odidi, a traditional medical practitioner, to defraud unsuspecting foreign victims.