The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on July 25, 2022, secured the conviction of one Samson Shakore before Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of Edo State High Court, Benin City, Edo State.
Shakore was arraigned on one count charge of retaining the proceeds of illegal conduct.
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The charge against him reads: “that you, Samson Shakore sometime between 1st January, 2018 to 31st December 2018 in Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did retain the aggregate sum of Ninety-four Million, Fifty-five Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty-one Naira ( N94,055,941.00) in your Zenith bank account no: 100592587 knowing that same represent proceeds of your criminal conduct to wit: cybercrime and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17 (a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment ) Act, 2004 and punishable under Section 17 (b) of the same Act.”
Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge prompting the prosecution counsel, I.K.Agwai, to ask the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.
Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Shakore to three years imprisonment with an option of N3,000 fine.
The judge also ordered that the sum of N366,925.74 being balance in his Zenith bank account be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria and that the account be closed. The defendant is also to undertake in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth.
