The conviction of two brothers has been secured by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Benin Zonal Office before Justice M.G Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Benin, Edo State on Thursday, November 21, 2019.
The convicted brothers identified as Wisdom Onojiolou and Omorodion Onojiolou were arraigned and convicted before a Federal High Court on a two count charge of intent to defraud and obtaining under false pretense.
In a statement released by the anti-graft agency, the two brothers were said to have fraudulently obtained the sum of N15, 400, 000. (Fifteen Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira) from one Philian Uwadiae under the pretense that the money was to establish a business for her in Benin.
One of the counts read: “that you Wisdom Ehis Onojiolou sometime in March 2016 in Benin within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did with intent to defraud, obtained the aggregate sum of N9,000,000.00 (Nine Million Naira) Only from Philian Uwadiae under the pretense that the money was to set up human hair business for her in Benin , a representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act”.
The two brothers pleaded guilty to the charges when it was read to them .
In view of their plea, the prosecution counsel, I.M Elody prayed the court to sentence and convict the defendants accordingly. However, defence counsel, Martha Imafu pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants were first time offenders who have become remorseful.
Justice Umar thereafter convicted and sentenced the defendants to one year imprisonment commencing from the date of judgement and ordered that they make restitution to their victim.