Justice W.I. Aziegbemhin of Edo State Excessive Courtroom sitting in Benin Metropolis, has convicted and sentenced one Ofure Akpolo to a few years imprisonment for retention of proceeds of crime.
Based on a press release by the Financial and Monetary Crimes posted on its official X deal with, @officialEFCC, on Friday, the convict was prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Fee on September 24, 2024, on a one-count cost bordering on retention of proceeds of crime.
The cost towards Akpolo reads: “That you simply Ofure Prince Akpolo (m) on or concerning the third day of June. 2024 in Benin Metropolis, Edo State inside the jurisdiction of this Honourable Courtroom did with out lawful authority take possession of the sum of $22, 297.97 (Twenty-Two Thousand, Two Hundred and Ninety-Seven United States of America {Dollars}, Seven cents) in your domiciliary account quantity: 5436344024 domiciled in First Metropolis Monument Financial institution realizing that the cash represents proceeds of your prison conduct to wit: Cybercrime and thereby dedicated an offence opposite to Part 18 (1) (a) of the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (Institution) Act 2004 and punishable beneath part 18 (2) of the identical Act.”
The defendant pleaded responsible to the cost when it was learn to him in courtroom, prompting the prosecution counsel, F.A Jirbo, to wish the courtroom to convict and sentence him accordingly.
Nevertheless, counsel to the defendant pleaded with the courtroom to mood justice with mercy, claiming that his consumer had change into remorseful for his actions.
“After listening to the submission of the counsel, Justice W.I Aziegbemhin convicted and sentenced Akpolo to a few years imprisonment with an possibility of N500,000 nice.
“The courtroom ordered the convict to forfeit his telephone, balances in his varied financial institution accounts, being devices and proceeds of crime to the Federal Authorities of Nigeria.
“He’s to undertake in writing to be of fine behaviour afterwards. The convict’s journey to the Correctional Centre started following his arrest by operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Fee relating to his fraudulent actions. He was thereafter prosecuted and convicted,” the antigraft company mentioned.
