By: Enahoro Iyemefokhai
Four executive members of the Edo State Welders Association (ESWA) have been jailed for seven years imprisonment by the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City for N15 million fraud.

The convicted executive members of the association are Mr. Isaac Ogundimu, Mr.John Odaro, Mr. Andrew Egharevba, and Mr. Omorogbe Jacob.

Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele, however, gave an option of an N650,000 fine to each of the convict.

The convicted executive members of the association were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2017 on a 15-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing by conversion, and forgery.

The anti-graft agency said the offense of the accused was contrary to the Bendel State Criminal Code Law 1976 as applicable in Edo State and punishable under Section 390 (9) of the same law.

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The convicts were accused of coveting the sum of N15 million disbursed by the Edo State Government to the Edo State Welders Association for the empowerment of welders in the state to their personal use.

At the trial, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) called five witnesses and tendered eight exhibits while the defendants filed a no-case submission which was dismissed by the court.