Court sends two fraudsters to prison in Warri

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, convicted and sentenced the duo of Malvis Bello and Abel Peter to prison for fraud.

Bello and Peter were arraigned by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on separate one count charges of fraudulent impersonation and attempting to obtain by false pretence from unsuspecting victims.

The charge against Malvis Bello reads, “That you, Malvis Bello  (Alex Wrang and Pinky Jenny) on or about the 9th day of March, 2021 in Benin City within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated one Valeries Holl, a white man by using [email protected] to obtain money from one Rebecca Brown and sending fictitious document to your advantage, the pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(2) (b) (i) and (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention etc.) Act; 2015 and punishable under section 22(2) (b) (iv) of the same Act.”

Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, I.M. Elodi to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.  However, the defence counsel, A.S. Akinfolarin pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants were first-time offenders who have become remorseful for their actions.

Justice Abang convicted and sentenced Bello to two years imprisonment without an option of fine while Peter bagged six months imprisonment with an option of Five Hundred Thousand Naira fine.

The defendants are to forfeit their phones to the Federal Government of Nigeria and undertake in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth.