Court convicts four for illegal operation on Nigerian waters, two internet fraudsters

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Benin City Zonal Office, has secured six convictions before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Warri, Delta State.

Four of the convicts – Paul Edorena, Friday Oghenero, Onoja Emmanuel and Charles Ehifuoma – were arraigned for operating on the Nigerian waters without licence.

Edorena and his co-travelers pleaded guilty when their charges were read to them.

In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Aso Larry Peters, prayed the court to convict the defendants accordingly.

However, the defence counsel pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, as the defendants were first time offenders who had become remorseful since they were arrested.

Justice Nwite gave the four a fine option of N600,000 each.

The commission also secured the conviction of Collins Amadin and Thaddeus Ebhohimen for internet fraud before Justice Nwite.

Amadin was convicted for impersonating David G, an American national, and using the fake identity to defraud unsuspecting victims. He was sentenced to six months with an option of N2 million fine while Ebhohimen was sentenced to two months imprisonment with an option of N200,000 fine.

Meanwhile, the EFCC is set to collaborate with the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) to promote maritime security through ‘Project AGWE’.

The project, which will involve Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Togo, Ghana and Benin Republic, is aimed at ridding the countries of economic sabotage in the maritime environment.

The disclosure was made at the EFCC headquarters by the acting chairman, Ibrahim Magu, alongside Interpol’s analyst and leader of the delegation, Anastasia Kirillas, who visited the commission.

According to Kirillas, the essence of Project AGWE is for the designated countries to work together and encourage broader intelligence sharing between their law enforcement agencies.

Apart from assisting the EFCC in investigation and capacity building, Kirillas said the initiative would focus on maritime security in the designated countries and the strengthening of the capacities of law enforcement agencies in the West African sub-region.

She praised the EFCC for effective collaboration with the Nigerian Navy through joint operations.

The project, Kirillas disclosed, is sponsored by the United States Department of State.