Court Sentences “Yahoo Boy” To 10 Years Imprisonment In Delta

A Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, on Tuesday, sentenced a fraudster, popularly called Yahoo Boy to 10 years in prison for advance fee fraud.

The convict, Otede Meyeoghene, was prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on three separate charges of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Acts 2006.

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The anti-graft agency, in a statement shared on Twitter, highlighted that the offense falls under Section 1(3) of the same Act and is subject to punishment.

According to the commission, the convicted individual committed the fraudulent act in 2015 in Warri, Delta State.

The convict is said to have deceived and induced Eyinoloma Demeyin, the complainant, to deposit the sum of N2,000,000 into his account by falsely claiming that the money would be invested in a waste management contract with the Rivers State Government.

The commission stated that the convict made a false promise to Mr. Demeyin, assuring him of a daily dividend of N25,000 as a return on investment, fully aware that such promises were untrue.

After thoroughly evaluating the case, Judge Okon Abang pronounced his judgment, stating that the prosecution had successfully demonstrated the guilt of Mr. Meyeoghene on all three charges beyond reasonable doubt. Consequently, the judge convicted him.

Justice Abang emphasized the seriousness of the offense of obtaining under false pretense, referring to it as a widespread problem requiring urgent attention and intervention. In order to deter others from engaging in similar acts, the judge deemed it necessary to impose a severe punishment.

Mr. Meyeoghene was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment on each of the three charges, with no option of paying a fine. The sentences are to be served concurrently, meaning that he will serve a total of 10 years in prison.