19 Yahoo Boys Jailed, Four Others Arraigned as EFCC Arrests 37 Others in Oyo
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of 19 internet fraudsters, popularly known as “Yahoo Boys”, in Edo State High Court, Benin City. The convicts pleaded guilty to separate fraud charges brought against them by the EFCC.
The convicts are Fidelis Esajini, Nicholas Azeke, Marvelous Alakpa, Adelike Ifeakachukwu Destiny, Osamwingie Osarenwinda, Mathias Friday Gbenga, Collins Etiosa Iyekeoretin, Anyanwu Miracle, Justice Aifo, Emmanuel Efetobor, Osahenie Louis Uwoghiren, Emmanuel Osifo, Timothy Nowamagbe, Desmond Taiwo, Atunu Brilliant Ewomaoghene, Elvis Onojebe, Promise Uduaghan, Francis Uzoma Okoliko and Omokaro Omonefe.
They were arraigned before Justices Efe Ikponmwonba and M. Itsueli on various counts of retention of proceeds of crime, fraudulent representation and unlawful possession of fraudulent documents.
One of the charges against Collins Etiosa Iyekeoretin reads: “that you, Collins Etiosa Iyekeoretin sometime between 23rd January 2018 and 26th May 2023, in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did retain the control of the aggregate sum of N303,304,519:69 in your UBA bank account number: 1021606211 on behalf of Osawonyi Ella, knowing that same represent the proceeds of criminal conduct of the said Osawonyi Ella and others and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( Establishment ) Act, 2004 and punishable under section 17(b) of the same Act.”
Fidelis Esajini was accused of impersonating a United States citizen named Lisa with the intent to defraud his victims.
The defence counsel pleaded for leniency on behalf of the convicts, saying they were first-time offenders who had repented.
Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Esajini, Destiny, Osarenwinda, Gbenga, Iyekeoretin, Nowamagbe, Ewomaoghene and Okoliko to three years imprisonment with an option of N200,000 as fine each. Azeke, Miracle, Aifo, Efetobor, Uwoghiren and Osifo were sentenced to three years imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 each. Alakpa bagged three years imprisonment or a fine of N300,000. Taiwo bagged two years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000.
Justice Itsueli convicted and sentenced Uduaghan, Onojebe and Omonefe to three years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 each.
The court also ordered that six vehicles – Lexus ES350, Black Mercedes ML350, Mercedes Benz C-30 model, Mercedes Benz ML 350, Lexus NX and Toyota Corolla- iPad , laptops , phones and the balance in the convicts’ bank accounts be forfeited to the Federal Government through the EFCC.
In a related development , the EFCC arraigned four persons before Justice A.O Onovo of the Enugu State High Court on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing by conversion contrary to Sections 495 (a) and 342 , 343 of the Criminal Code Law of Enugu State , 2004.
The defendants are Nsude Oguejiofor , Ogbe Emmanuel Monday , Benjamin Onyekachi Nnaji and Nsude Sylvester Chukwuani . They allegedly misappropriated N600 million , proceeds of the sale of 100 plots of land belonging to the Umuwankum family of Amechi Uwani . They were alleged to have committed the offences between 2016 and 2018.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail in the sum of N2 million and one surety in like sum. The surety must be a civil servant of not less than Grade Level 13 and resident within the jurisdiction of the court. The case was adjourned till September 21, for hearing.
The EFCC also arrested 37 suspected internet fraudsters (Yahoo Boys) in Ibadan, Oyo State, following intelligence reports on their alleged involvement in cybercrime3. The suspects were apprehended at different locations within the city during an early morning raid carried out by operatives of the Commission.
Items recovered from them include 10 exotic cars, laptops, mobile phones and several documents containing false pretences. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
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