On March 8, 2023, three internet fraudsters were found guilty by Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court in Benin City thanks to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) Benin Zonal Command.
Osayi Gregory, Smart Okunrobo, and Justice Osagie Beggedo, the three convicted individuals, were each charged with one count each of impersonation and obtaining by false pretence. Between 2018 and 2020, they pretended to be foreigners in order to con innocent victims.
The charge against Gregory reads: “That you, Osayi Gregory (M) sometime between 2018 and 12th January 2023 in Benin City, Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself as Estefani Castellanos, a bitcoin trader 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 Beggedo reads: “That you Justice Osagie Beggedo (M) sometime between 2020 and 12th January, 2023 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be Montaya-Jauricell, a lady from the United States of America 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”
Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, Francis. A. Jirbo to pray the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. However, counsel to the defendants, Pascal Ugbome urged the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants have become remorseful for their actions.
Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Gregory and Okunrobo to three years imprisonment with an option of Five Hundred Thousand Naira fine while Beggedo bagged three years imprisonment or a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira.
The judge also ordered that two Mercedes Benz GLK 350 cars belonging to Gregory and Beggedo, the sum of N9, 287,686.90 in First Bank Account operated by Gregory alongside his accomplice, Osayi Patricia (his mother), the sum of N85, 525.99 in Gregory’s UBA account and phones, being instruments of crime, be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria through the EFCC.