Impersonator,10 others convicted, jailed in Edo

Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court in Benin City has handed down jail sentences to an impersonator, Endurance Agbi, and 10 other individuals involved in fraudulent activities. These convicts, which include Sylvester Osatofoh Ebhoaiye, Edafe Promise, Christian Skinn, Ariomoghwa Lucky, Ogbebor Pricewill, Irikefe Prosper, Odiri Ejiro, Eyengho Richard, Apoi Ufouma, and Enabor Peter Odianosen, faced charges of personation and unlawful possession of fraudulent documents, as brought by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Agbi’s charge centered on representing himself as “DR ODIDI,” a herbal medical practitioner, with the intent to defraud. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison or a fine of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,000). The other convicts received three-year prison sentences with the option of fines ranging from Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000) to Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000).

Furthermore, the court ordered the forfeiture of various vehicles, mobile phones, and bank account balances of the convicts, which were deemed proceeds of their criminal activities. The judge also directed the $525.00 recovered from Agbi during the investigation to be paid to the Federal Government of Nigeria’s account through the EFCC for onward delivery to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). Additionally, the bank accounts of the convicts were ordered to be permanently closed.

The arrests and convictions stemmed from actionable intelligence and collaboration between the EFCC and the NFIU, revealing the involvement of these individuals in various forms of internet fraud.