Justice Efe Ikponwonba of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City on Thursday July 29, 2021 convicted and sentenced the duo of Ahunwan Nosakhare (aka Ryan Phillipe ) and Ogbolu Israel Uche (aka Huan Bryan) to prison for fraud.
The defendants were arraigned by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on one count charge of personation contrary to section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State) 1979 and punishable under the same Law.
Nosakhare is said to have impersonated Ryan Phillippe (an American ) on Instagram using officialryanphillipe@gmail.com while Ogbolu Israel Uche impersonated Huan Bryan (a Chinese) living in the United States of America on Instagram with intent to defraud their unsuspecting victims.
The charge against Nosakhare reads: “that you Ahunwan Nosakhare (a.k.a Ryan Phillipe ) on or about the 9th of March, 2021 at No 28, Upper Siluko Road, Unity Street, opposite police station, Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court did with intent to defraud falsely represented yourself as Ryan Phillippe (an American) on Instagram using officialryanphillipe@gmail.com contrary to section 484 of the Criminal Code law Cap 48 laws of defunct Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State) 1976 and punishable under same section.”
The charge against Uche reads: “that you Ogbolu Israel Uche (alias Huan Bryan) sometime in September, 2020, in Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud falsely represented yourself as Huan Bryan (a Chinese) living in the United States of America by sending fraudulent messages and pictures on Instagram to Lee Hwanhee Mario (a Korean) which messages you claimed emanated from the said (Huan Bryan) thereby committed an offence”.
Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded “guilty” to the charge preferred against them.
In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, Immaculate Elody prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. However, the defence counsel, Isaac Ozua pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy and to honour the plea bargain agreement between the defendants and the prosecution.
Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced the defendants to two (2) years imprisonment or a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200, 000) each.