On July 25, 2023, Justice Efe Ikponwonba of the Edo State High Court in Benin City delivered verdicts, sentencing a group of seven individuals to prison for their involvement in internet fraud. Among the convicted were Christopher Godfirst, a 22-year-old truck driver, and Raymond Imozemhe, also 22, who had impersonated the popular Hollywood star, Tom Cruise.
The journey to prison for these individuals began when they were arrested and subsequently charged by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Each defendant faced a one-count charge, ranging from fraudulent impersonation to possession of fraudulent documents.
Christian Okafor’s charge read: “that you, Christian Okafor (m) sometime in May 2023, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did with intent to defraud represent yourself to be one Choi, a citizen of Korea, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (As applicable in Edo State).”
Raymond Imozemhe’s charge read: “That you, Raymond Imozemhe (m) sometime in 2023 at Ugbor Central GRA, Benin City, Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, falsely represented yourself to be one Tom Cruise, a Hollywood celebrity from the United States of America, in your Scrabble Game account and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 384(1) of the Criminal Law of Edo State Law, 2022.”
When the defendants were arraigned, they pleaded guilty to their respective charges, leading the prosecution counsel, Salihu Ahmed, A.S. Bala-Ribah, and Al-Amin Abdul Ibrahim, to request the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
The defense counsel, on the other hand, pleaded with the court for leniency, considering that the defendants were first-time offenders.
In the end, Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Okafor, Imozemhe, and Emmanuel to three years imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira fine. Poto received a sentence of three years imprisonment or a fine of Three Hundred Thousand Naira, while Ighere was sentenced to two years imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira fine. Gaius and Godfirst were each sentenced to three years imprisonment or a fine of One Hundred Thousand Naira.
The judge ordered the defendants to forfeit a Mercedes Benz GLK 350, Lexus ES 350, one black Toyota Camry, mobile phones, and a UBA draft of N960,000, all of which were proceeds of their fraudulent activities, to the Federal Government of Nigeria. The defendants were also required to provide a written undertaking to exhibit good behavior upon their release.
