The Benin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday secured the conviction of one Ituah Benjamin before Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court, Benin City, Edo State.
The defendant was arraigned on a one-count charge bordering on personation and sending of fraudulent messages, contrary to and punishable under section 484 of the Criminal Code law, CA 48, Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State).
The charge read: “That you Ituah Benjamin between July and September, 2017 in Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court being a citizen of Nigeria, did with intent to defraud, falsely represented yourself as Stefan O. Ivan (a white man) by sending fraudulent messages through a Yahoo Mail account – [email protected] to Lorenzo Armando (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) 1979”.
Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded ‘guilty’ to the charge.
In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, K.U.Udus, prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.
Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Benjamin to two (2) years imprisonment or a fine of N500,000.
The judge also ordered that items recovered from him be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
