Court orders Edo resident convicted of cybercrime to forfeit N120m to FBI

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says an Edo state high court has ordered that N120 million found in the account of a convict be forfeited to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

In a statement on Wednesday, the EFCC said the convict, identified as Oghenemine Agbroko, a resident of Edo state, was found guilty of cybercrime.

Four other persons were also convicted of cybercrime in separate hearings.

“Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court, Benin City, on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, ordered the forfeiture of the sum of N120,284,986.28 (one hundred and twenty million, two hundred and eighty-four thousand, nine hundred and eighty-six naira, twenty-eight kobo) found in the Keystone bank account of a convicted fraudster, Oghenemine Agbroko, to the federal government of Nigeria through the EFCC for onward delivery to the nominal complainant, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI,” the statement reads.

“Agbroko was among five internet fraudsters convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment for fraud by Justice Ikonmwonba.

“The others are Kennedy Uwuigbe, Odiase Osariemen Christian, Collins Edobor, and Ebichuwa Victory Ovie.

“They were arraigned separately on one count charge bordering on retention of proceeds of crime, personation, and unlawful possession of fraudulent documents by the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC.

“Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges. In view of their plea, the prosecution counsel, Francis A. Jirbo, F.O. Dibang, and I.K. Agwai prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

“However, the defence counsel, Pascal Ugbome, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants were first-time offenders who have become remorseful for their actions.”

The court sentenced Agbroko and Edobor to five years imprisonment with the option of N200,000 fine each, while Uwuigbe, Christian, and Ovie were sentenced to three years imprisonment with the option of N200,000 fine each.

“The quartet of Uwuigbe, Christian, Edobor, and Ovie are to forfeit the aggregate sum of N12,322.476.72 and $954.02 USD worth of Bitcoin, two Mercedes Benz cars, a Toyota Camry car, $2000USD, and mobile phones, all being proceeds and instruments of crime, to the Federal Government of Nigeria through the EFCC,” the anti-graft agency added.

“The court also ordered that the bank accounts used in committing the crime be closed.”