Justice W.I. Aziegbemhin of the Edo State High Court has sentenced Ofure Prince Akpolo to three years in prison for retaining proceeds of crime totalling $22,297.97.
The sentence was delivered on September 24, 2024, after the suspect was prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Akpolo was charged with unlawfully taking possession of the funds in his domiciliary account at First City Monument Bank, knowing the money was obtained through cybercrime.
The charge, which violated Section 18(1)(a) of the EFCC Act 2004, was punishable under Section 18(2) of the same Act.
Upon pleading guilty to the charge, prosecution counsel F.A. Jirbo urged the court to convict Akpolo.
The defendant’s counsel, however, pleaded for leniency, stating that Akpolo was remorseful.
Justice Aziegbemhin subsequently sentenced Akpolo to three years imprisonment but offered the option of a N500,000 fine.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of Akpolo’s phone and the balances in his bank accounts, deeming them instruments of crime.
Akpolo was also mandated to write an undertaking to exhibit good behaviour moving forward.
Akpolo’s conviction followed his arrest by the EFCC for his involvement in fraudulent activities.
