Court jails 2 siblings, 10 others for fraud in Edo

The Edo State High Court sitting in Benin has sentenced two brothers, Teddy Hart and Rooney Hart as well as 10 others to various terms in a correctional center for fraud. The 10 other individuals convicted by Justice M. Itsueli are Thompson Ogbeide, Iria Blessed, Igbinomwania Godspower, Ojiezele Felix, Akhigbe Gideon, Osazuwa Oghomwen, Agbonifo Iziegbe, […]

The Edo State High Court sitting in Benin has sentenced two brothers, Teddy Hart and Rooney Hart as well as 10 others to various terms in a correctional center for fraud.

The 10 other individuals convicted by Justice M. Itsueli are Thompson Ogbeide, Iria Blessed, Igbinomwania Godspower, Ojiezele Felix, Akhigbe Gideon, Osazuwa Oghomwen, Agbonifo Iziegbe, Lucky Osagie, Osemwegie Michael, and Victor Ojeisemi.

They were arraigned by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC on separate charges bordering on advance fee fraud, obtaining by false pretense, retention of proceeds of crime, and possession of fraudulent documents.

The convicts pleaded guilty to the charges, and the defense counsel pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that the convicts were remorseful for their actions.
The prosecution counsel, however, prayed the court to sentence the convicts accordingly.

Justice M. Itsueli sentenced Ogbeide, Blessed, Godspower, Gideon, Michael, and Oghomwen to two years in a correctional center each, or to pay a fine of ₦200,000 each.

He also sentenced Teddy and Rooney Hart to two years in a correctional center each, with an option of a ₦350,000 fine each. Ojeisemi was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison or to pay a fine of ₦150,000.

The judge added that the convicts must forfeit their mobile phones, laptop computers, and the money found in their respective bank accounts, all of which were proceeds of their crimes, to the federal government.