Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin on Wednesday July 20, 2022, convicted and sentenced Abudu Gentle Osarobo to three years imprisonment for fraud.
Osarobo was arraigned on one count charge by the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC for fraudulent impersonation and obtaining by false pretence. He had impersonated one Barry Carson, a US military officer to defraud his victim.
The charge against Osarobo reads: “That you, Abudu Gentle Osarobo (m) sometime between 2018 and September, 2021 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud represent yourself to be Barry Carson, a US military officer and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (As Applicable in Edo State) 1976”.
Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Francis Jirbo, prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly. However, the defence counsel, Kenechukwu Ofoedu pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.
Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced the defendant to three year imprisonment or a fine of N500, 000.
The court ordered that the defendant forfeits to the Federal Government of Nigeria, a 3-bedroom bungalow in Benin City, a Toyota Rav 4 Jeep 2015 Model, Four UBA Manager’s Cheques of N10 million, the sum of N2,200,827.05 in his Sterling Bank account, N725,209.47 in his company account – Edorisiagbon Allied Business limited, N30,753.78, in his business account – Edorisiagbon Global Enterprise, the sum of N4,968,731,24 and N40,397.95 in his First Bank and Sterling Bank accounts for the benefit of the victims.
The accounts are to be closed afterwards.