Court Jails Two Internet Fraudsters In Makurdi

Justice Abdul Dogo of Federal High Court, Makurdi, Benue State, on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, convicted and sentenced two internet fraudsters to two years jail terms for fraud.

 They are John Sule Godwin and Samuel Aondowase Kpemiyol

 They were arraigned on separate one count charges bordering on personation, illegal possession of proceeds of crime and intent to defraud, by the Makurdi Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

 Upon arraignment the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges prompting the prosecution counsel, Uwaisu Yusuf and A. S. Idris to ask the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.  

 However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as they were first-time offenders who had become remorseful for their actions.

 Justice Dogo convicted and sentenced both to two years imprisonment with an option of One Million Naira fine. Justice Dogo ordered the forfeiture of their iPhones which are proceeds and instruments of crime to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The charge against Godwin reads, "That you, JOHN SULE GODWIN 'm' (25yrs) on or about January 2022, in Makurdi, Benue State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did fraudulently frank electronic message by the use of Gmail and Instagram accounts to defraud unsuspecting foreign victims; Chaunice Michelle, Lisa Mullins Hasset, and Latoya Lipcom, the sum of $1,800 (One Thousand, Eight Hundred USD) worth of Bitcoin and Binace, which was converted and transferred into your Kuda Microfinance Bank account No; 2024317223 and First Bank account No; 3070565552, thereby committed an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 14 (3) of the Cybercrime (Prevention Prohibition, ETC) Act, 2015".