Seventeen internet fraudsters were jailed in Benin City after pleading guilty to fraud charges and retaining proceeds of crime
Seventeen internet fraudsters have been convicted and sentenced in Benin City after they pleaded guilty to one-count charges relating to obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime, and possession of fraudulent documents.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted the convicts, who were arraigned before Justices A.N. Erhabor and W.I. Aziegbemhin of the Edo State High Courts.
The convicts include Ekene Ezerioha, Ayeleso Ayodeji Richard, Prince Unity Igbinekaro, Marvelous Adebor, Osayande Oseh, Chukwuebuka James Edozie, Clinton Osayi Okojie, Chinedu Ugwu Kingsley, Emmanuel Ezeala, Isioma Christopher, Adebayo Ayomide, Ubaro Best, Junior Oboh, Chieye Goodluck, Lucky James Isioma, Jeremiah Okwuezuru Nwadiashi, and Destiny Grace. They were arrested in a sting operation following intelligence suggesting their involvement in internet fraud.
The charge against one of the convicts, Ekene Ezerioha, states that on or about March 14, 2025, within the jurisdiction of the court, he possessed documents that contained false pretences, which led to his conviction under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006.
All 17 defendants pleaded guilty when their charges were read to them. In response, the prosecution counsel, including F.A. Jirbo, K.Y. Bello, Isa K. Agwai, Faisal Ibrahim, Al-Amin Ibrahim Abdul, Bala-Ribah, and Salihu Ahmed, urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. Their defence counsel pleaded for leniency, stating that the convicts had shown remorse for their actions.
Justice Erhabor sentenced Igbinekaro, Adebor, Oseh, Edozie, Okojie, Christopher, Best, Nwadiashi, and Grace to two years imprisonment each or a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) each. Richard, Kingsley, Ezeala, Goodluck, and Isioma were sentenced to three years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) each.
Justice Aziegbemhin sentenced Oboh, Ayomide, and Ezerioha to two years imprisonment each or a fine of N400,000 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira) each.
In addition to their sentences, all convicts forfeited their phones, computers, and the money in their bank accounts to the federal government. They also committed, in writing, to good behaviour moving forward.
This action is part of the ongoing efforts by the EFCC to tackle internet fraud and ensure that perpetrators of fraudulent activities face justice. The convicts’ sentences serve as a reminder of the consequences of engaging in cybercrime in Nigeria.
