Court orders forfeiture on N120million traced to internet fraudster
The Edo State High Court, Benin City on Tuesday ordered the forfeiture of the sum of N120, 284,986.28 found in the Keystone bank account of a convicted fraudster, Oghenemine Agbroko to the Nigerian Government.
Penpushing reports that, Justice Efe Ikponmwonba gave the order, adding that the forfeiture should be through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for onward delivery to the nominal complainant, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, (FBI), and also ruled that the bank accounts used in committing the crime be closed.
The convict bagged five years for fraud alongside others which include Kennedy Uwuigbe, Odiase Osariemen Christian, Collins Edobor and Ebichuwa Victory Ovie, having been arraigned separately on one count charge bordering on retention of proceeds of crime, personation and unlawful possession of fraudulent documents by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC).
‘That you, Jeffrey Oghenemine Agbroko (m) on or about 12th November, 2021 in Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did retain the sum of N120,284,986.28 (One Hundred and Twenty Million, Two Hundred and Eighty-Four Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eighty six naira, Twenty Eight Kobo) in your bank account number 6033867739 domiciled in Keystone Bank Ltd knowing that same represent proceeds of your criminal conduct to wit: Cybercrime and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 17(b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004”, The charge against Agbroko reads
‘That you, Kennedy Uwuigbe sometimes between 2017 to 4th August, 2022 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be Luka Romero, a white man 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 Kennedy Uwuigbe reads
Penpushing also reports that, upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charge, and in view of their plea, the prosecution counsel, Francis.A.Jirbo, F.O. Dibang and I.K. Agwai prayed the court to convict and sentenced them accordingly.
The defence counsel, Pascal Ugbome, however, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants were first-time offenders who have become remorseful for their actions, and the judge in final judgement convicted and sentenced Agbroko and Collins Edobor to five years in imprisonment with an option of N200, 000 fine each.
Penpushing reports that, the trio Uwuigbe, Christian and Ovie bagged three years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 each, while the quartet of Uwuigbe, Christian, Edobor and Ovie are to forfeit the aggregate sum of N12,322.476.72 and $954.02 USD worth of Bitcoin, two Mercedes Benz cars, a Toyota Camry car, $2000USD and mobile phones , all being proceeds and instruments of crime to the Nigerian Government.
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