The duo of Monye Emeka Divine and Onyema Okuose were convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment each by Justice M. Itsueli of Edo State High Court, Benin City, on Friday, October 28, 2022.
They were arraigned on one count charge bordering on retention of proceeds of crime and unlawful possession of fraudulent documents.
The charge against Monye Emeka Divine reads: “that you, Money Emeka Divine between February and July 2022 at Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did take possession of the total sum of N613, 800 knowing that same represent proceeds of Mordi Victor Ekene’s (your boss) 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”.
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The charge against Okuose reads: “that you, Onyema Okuose sometime in 2022 at Benin City within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known to contain a false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3)of the same Act”.
Upon arraignment, both defendants pleaded guilty to the charge preferred against them by the Commission.
In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, K.Y Bello prayed to the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. However, counsel to the defendants prayed to the court to temper justice with Mercy as the defendant has been remorseful.
Justice Itsueli thereafter convicted and sentenced both Okuose and Divine to three years imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira fine each.
The judge ruled that the balance of Five Thousand, One Hundred and Forty Naira and Seventy-two Kobo (N5,140.72) found in Okuose’s account domiciled in Zenith bank and phones recovered in the course of investigation be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The bank accounts of the two defendants are also to be closed.
Cami Ezenwa is a Writer, Editor, Publicist, Biographer and Journalism Trainer
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