By Freedom SunriseOperatives of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 92 suspected internet fraudsters (aka Yahoo Boys) in a sting operation in the early hours of Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at various locations in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
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| The suspects |
EFCC Spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday and made available to FREEDOM SUNRISE NEWS.
The Ninety Two (92) suspects were arrested for alleged internet fraud activities at locations including Choba and Ada George axis of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, following an intelligence report.
Analyses of the devices recovered from the suspects established that 64 of the suspects have incriminating items in their phones and emails.
The Sixty Four (64) suspects are: Lawrence Philip, Edewor Victor, Triumph Amgbu, Elvis Ogheze, Maduakolam Lius Fred, Edet Victor Akpan, Joshua Fidelis, Henry Wisdom, Isiah Ejarat, Destiny Waaogho Erigga, David Alli, Goodluck Edowru, James Otu, Asoulu Dare, Jerry Thankgod, Anawanti Finder, Edowuru Famous, Felix Osaro, Ukaegbu Franklin, Clinton Paul, Stansley .O. Tallick, Prosper Osadebameh, Prince Onyebuchi Ifeanyi, Gift Henry, Miracle Danien, Anyaeri Chidiebere, Udechukwu Ezenna, Udechukwu Victor, Favor Kelechi, Ernest Chidubem, Endurance Erebo, Chigozie Emeonye and Precious Enomah.
Others are Ohiarekurh Daniel, Ordinachukwu Daniel Obinna, Light Gospel Nwosu, John Junior, Udosina Obi Mike, Samuel Promise, Aremo Folarin, Treasure Mike, Confidence Paul, Precious Paul, Ndubusi John Kingsley, Emmanuel Matthew Agoke, Aso Gideion Apata, Favor Otogbo, Favor Shadrack Moses, Vincent Athanasius, Imafidon Junior, Kelly Didi, Emmanuel Odunor, Samuel Dickson, Victor Akpan, Godwin Oluwafemi Ozeknome, Norbert Atuna, Sam Uba, Emmanuel Bobo Ojuru, Kelechi Ben, Matthis Ibidabo, Kelvin Mathew Agoke, Chidera Chibuzor Anieze, Moses Shedrack and Collins Christopher.
The indicted suspects will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.
In a related development, the Lagos Command of the EFCC, on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, secured the conviction and sentencing of two internet fraudsters, Ahmed Abiodun and Owotutu Damilare, before Justice O.A. Okunuga of the Lagos State High Court, sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.
Uwujaren disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.
The statement said they were both separately arraigned on an amended one-count charge bordering on possession of documents containing false pretences, with which they perpetrated internet fraud and defrauded unsuspecting victims of the society.
The defendants, who had earlier been arraigned before the Court, had approached the prosecution, through their counsel, seeking a plea bargain and sentencing agreement, thus prompting their arraignment on the amended charges.
The were accused of contravening Section 320 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
They both separately pleaded “guilty” to the amended one-count charge.
In the course of the trial of Owotutu, the prosecuting counsel, E.S. Okongwu, who reviewed the facts of the matter, tendered in evidence his statement made to the interrogators, his iPhone 11, one HP laptop, a bank draft of N300,000 restitution and the fraudulent documents printed out from his devices.
They were all admitted as exhibits against him, as there was no objection from the defence counsel, Anthony Airewele.
During the trial of Abiodun, the prosecuting counsel, O. Adewunmi, who reviewed the facts of the matter, tendered in evidence his statement made upon his arrest, an iPhone 12 Pro Max, an iPhone 11, a MacBook Air laptop, one HP laptop, a gold ring, printout of his cryptocurrency wallet containing $6,062.74, being the remainder of the about $10,000 he benefited from the alleged internet fraud, and other fraudulent documents printed out from his devices.
Adewunmi further informed the Court that a Toyota vehicle was also recovered from him along with N55,214 in his bank account.
There was no objection from the defence counsel, Z.S. Makinde; hence, they were admitted as exhibits against him.
Following their guilty pleas and the respective plea bargain and sentencing agreements, Justice Okunuga pronounced them guilty as charged.
Justice Okunuga sentenced Owotutu to six hours per day community service for 12 months, while Abiodun was sentenced to one year at a correctional facility without an option of fine.
Items recovered from them were also ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.
They were both ordered, upon completion of their sentences, to sign an undertaking with the EFCC never to engage in such vices again
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