Federal High Court Sitting in Benin City, the Edo State capital has sentenced a man to one year imprisonment for spraying naira notes.

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC in a news release few hours ago, indicated that the court convicted and sentenced the man to six months jail term each of the two count charge filed against him for spraying the naira notes at a burial ceremony inside police barack in Benin city in the month of April, 2023.

EFCC stated further in the statement that the court gave the convict monetary option of ₦100,000 each or serve the one year jail term.

Details of the report and other news releases made available by the EFCC are presented below:

Court Jails Man for Spraying Naira Notes in Benin City

Justice C A Obiozor of the Federal High Court sitting in Benin City has convicted and sentenced one Osazee Kenneth Imagbenikaro to jail for spraying naira notes.

Imagbenikaro was convicted on a two count charge for offence bordering on spraying naira notes on Thursday May 16, 2024 contrary to Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Establishment ) Act 2007 and punishable under Section 21 (1) of the same Act.

One of the counts reads: That you Osazee Kenneth Imagbenikoro (male) on or about the 28th day of April 2023 at Ogida Police Barracks, Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did spray ₦100 notes at a funeral ceremony and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 (3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Establishment ) Act 2007 and punishable under Section 21 (1) of the same Act.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him in court. Based on his plea, prosecution counsel, Francis Jirbo prayed the court to convict and sentence him accordingly. However, defence counsel prayed the court to temper justice with mercy and that the defendant has become remorseful for his action.

Justice Obiozor convicted and sentenced Imagbenikaro to six months imprisonment on each of the count or a fine of ₦100,000 (One Hundred Thousand) each. The defendant is to undertake in writing to be of good behaviour going forward.
Imagbenikaro’s road to jail began following his arrest by operatives of the Commission for spraying naira notes at function.

Alleged ₦20 million Fraud: Court Fixes July 1 for Judgment of Three Defendants in Lagos

Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, on Wednesday, May 22, 2023, fixed July 1, 2024 for judgment in the trial of the trio of Ugorji Clinton, Obinanwa Abiodun and Kehinde Adewusi, who are facing trial over an alleged ₦20 million fraud.

They are being prosecuted on amended two-count charges bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, contrary to Section 8 (a) and 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006, as well as and attempt to obtain money by false pretence, contrary to Section 8 (b) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Ugorji Ugochukwu Clinton, Obinanwa Vincent Abiodun and Kehinde Adewusi, on or about the 29th day of July, 2016 at Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division, with intent to defraud, conspired to obtain the sum of ₦20,000,000 (Twenty Million Naira) from Sageto Limited.”

Another count reads: “That you, Ugorji Ugochukwu Clinton, Obinanwa Vincent Abiodun and Kehinde Adewusi, on or about the 29th day of July, 2016 at Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division, with intent to defraud, attempted to obtain the sum of ₦20,000,000 (Twenty Million Naira) from Sageto Limited under the false pretence that the instruction to transfer the sum of ₦20,000,000 (Twenty Million Naira) emanated from the Managing Director of Sageto Limited for the benefit of Ololade Olasunkanmi, which pretence you knew was false.”

They pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to them.

At Wednesday’s proceedings, the second defendant was, again, absent in court.

According to the prosecution counsel, S O Daji, “the second defendant has been absent for two different times now and he has not been apprehended.”
He, therefore, prayed the court to “allow parties to adopt their final written addresses, in line with the Section 345 of the ACJA 2021 as amended”.

EFCC Arrests 46 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Awka

Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC have arrested Forty-six (46) suspected internet fraudsters, in Awka metropolis, Anambra State.

The suspects were arrested during a sting operation, in the early hours of Friday, May 24, 2024 following credible intelligence linking them to cybercrimes activities in the State.

Items recovered from them include mobile phones, six laptops and six exotic cars.

The suspects are currently tendering confessional statements and will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

EFCC Arraigns Fake BDC Operator, One other for Currency Racketeering in Enugu

The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Friday, May 24, 2024 arraigned the duo of Onwuka Chimezie Henry and Ekene Ibegbu before Justice F  O Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State on a two-count charge bordering on currency racketeering and operating bureau de change business without an appropriate licence.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Onwuka Chimezie Henry and Ekene Ibegbu, sometime in February 2024 at Owerri Road, Enugu, Enugu State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria did jointly carry on the business of Bureau De Change under the name of ‘Archibenkong Enterprises Bureau De Change’ without due incorporation and valid licence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 57 (1) amd (2) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act Number: 5, 2020 and punishable under Section 57 (5) (b) of the same Act”.

They pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read to them. In view of their pleas, counsel to the EFCC, Nasir Umar prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendants to be remanded at Enugu State Correctional facility.

However, defence counsel; E C Nnaedozie and J A Okuta informed the court about pending bail applications . They moved the said applications and prayed the court to grant their clients bail on liberal terms.

Umar vehemently opposed the said applications on the grounds that “the offence is becoming prevalent in our society and we fear they may jump bail my lord”.

After listening to both sides, the court granted them bail on the following conditions:

They were granted bail in the sum of ₦1,000,000. 00 (One Million Naira) each with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must have a loaded property in Enugu and must show evidence of tax payment. The Commission must verify their addresses and report to the court within seven (7) days.

The defendants were remanded at the Enugu State Correctional facility while the matter was adjourned to October 16, 2024 for trial.

The second defendant (Ibegbu) was arrested by members of the Joint Task Force of the Enugu Zonal Command of the EFCC on Thursday, February 8, 2024 along Owerri Road, Enugu State following actionable intelligence received concerning his alleged involvement in currency racketeering.

Investigations revealed that Ibegbu was working for the first defendant (Henry). Further investigation revealed that Henry was operating a bureau de change business without due incorporation and valid licence. He was invited and detained on February 13, 2024.

EFCC Arraigns Man, his Company over Alleged ₦32 Million Fraud

The Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned Mr Kanu Ifesinachi Tenison and his company, Vikan Integrated Services Nigeria Limited,
before Justice P M Ayua of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt,
the Rivers State capital on allegations of multiple fraud.

Tension and his company, first and second defendants respectively are facing prosecution on 11-count charges,
bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, alteration and obtaining money under false pretence.

One of the charges reads: “That you Kanu Ifesinachi Tenison and Vikan Integrated Services Nigeria Limited between the 18th day of September, 2023 and 30th day of September, 2023 in Bonny Island Rivers State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, obtained money in the sum of Ten Million and Two Hundred Thousand Naira  only from Mr Robinson Adakosa; money which was paid into account Number: 0008161871 domiciled with Access Bank Plc and operated by you, under the pretence that the money will generate for him yields on investment from a contract you purported to have secured with Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG), which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (c) of he Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences, Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.

Another reads: “That you Kanu Ifesinachi Tenison and Vikan Integrated Services Nigeria Limited between the 15th day of August, 2023 and 1st day of December, 2023 in Bonny Island, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, obtained money in the sum of Twenty Two Million Naira only from Mr Tekena Erekeosima, which money was paid into account number: 2031057422 with the account name; Vikan Integrated Services Nigeria Limited domicile with First Bank of Nigeria Plc and operated by you, under the pretence that same will generate for him, yields on investment from a contract you purported to have secured with Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (c) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1: (3) of the same Act.”

He pleaded “not guilty” when all the charges were read to him, upon which prosecution counsel K U Odus, prayed the court for a commencement date of trial and for the first defendant to be remanded in prison custody, while the defence counsel, G Christopher informed the court of the defendant’s pending
bail application and prayed the court to grant him bail to enable him prepare for his trial.

In her ruling, Justice Ayua ordered that the first defendant be remanded in the custody of Nigeria Correctional Service, Port Harcourt and adjourned the matter till June 20, 2024, for hearing of the bail application.

Trouble began for the defendants when a petitioner in December 2023 alleged that the first defendant approached him for the sum of $11,700 (Eleven Thousand, Seven Hundred Thousand US Dollars), which he said he need in order to secure a contract from Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, NLNG for the second defendant.

The petitioner allegedly released the sum to the defendant after both reached an agreement that the defendant shall pay him the sum of ₦3,750,000 (Three Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) upon the execution of the contract and payment by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited. The agreement was, however, not honoured by the defendant, while all efforts by the petitioner to get his money back met a brick wall.

Internet Fraudster Bags One Year Jail Term in Port Harcourt

Justice E A Obile of the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital has convicted and sentenced one Ukachukwu Chidiebere to prison for internet fraud.

Chidiebere was prosecuted by the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC on one-count charge of impersonation.

The charge reads: “That you Ukachukwu Chidiebere (aka Libaan Cali, David Mckay), on or about the 2nd of February, 2024, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court fraudulently created a Google Chat account with usernames: davidmckayceo001.rbc@gmail.com and represented yourself as David Mckay, the Chief Executive Officer
and President of Royal Bank of Canada with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition Prevention Etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act.”

He pleaded “guilty” when the charge was read to him, following which prosecution counsel Abdulramad Abubakar, called a witness, Tasiu Balla Mohammed who testified against him. The prosecution also tendered some documents in further proof the case against the defendant.

In view of the testimonies of the witness and the documents tendered, prosecution counsel prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant in line with his plea, while the defence counsel, M M Suleiman prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that the defendant is a first time offender with no previous criminal records and has become remorseful.

In his judgement, Justice Obile convicted and sentenced the defendant to one year imprisonment or to pay a fine of ₦200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira). In addition, the convict forfeited his Toshiba laptop and its charger, a computer mouse and one blue Tecno mobile phone to the federal
government. He also deposed to an
affidavit of good behaviour before the court.

The convict was apprehended by operatives of “Operation Eagle Sweep” of the EFCC in February 2024 at Daewoo Road by Ox-bow Lake, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State following intelligence on his internet fraud activities.