Justice P. I Ajoku of the Federal High Court, sitting in Benin City, Edo State on Monday June 25 , 2018 convicted Micheal Agun, Vicent Odia and Chibuike Ogbonna for offences bordering on obtaining by fraudulent trick.

The trio who were prosecuted by the Benin Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, were said to have obtained the sum of Four Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira only (N490,000.00) from one John Francis by fraudulent tricks.

The offence is contrary to Section 421 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, C39, 2004 and punishable under Sec 510 of the same Act. Upon their arraignment on a one count charge, the defendants pleaded guilty to the offence.

In view of their plea, the prosecution counsel, Larry Aso Peters, urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. In his response, defence counsel, Chris Otasome pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercies as the defendants were first time offender who have become remorseful since they were arrested.

Justice Ajoku after listening to both counsels sentenced the defendant to three month imprisonment. They are also to restitute their victim of the entire sum of N490,000.

In the same vein, the Benin office of the Commission also secured the conviction of Smart Igbinedion on a One count charge bordering on obtaining by fraudulent trick. The convict was said to have fraudulently converted the sum of N200,000 belonging to Ekeo Youth Organisations to his own. Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. His counsel pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercies. Justice Ajoku sentenced the defendant to to six months.

Justice Ajoku also convicted and sentenced one Isede Nurudeen to one month imprisonment for offences bordering on obtaining by fraudulent trick. The convict was said to have fraudulently obtained the sum of N60,000 from one Miss Iyakoregha Karenane Ebi, an offence punishable under Section 421 of the Criminal Code Act CAP C39 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. The convict was also ordered to restitute his victim.