News Update
Seventeen internet fraudsters have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from two to three years by the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City.
The convicts are: 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 prosecuted on separate one-count charges bordering on obtaining by false pretences, retention of proceeds of crime, and possession of fraudulent documents.
The charge against Ekene Ezerioha reads: “That you, Ekene Ezerioha (m), on or about the 14th of March, 2025, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known contained false pretences, thereby committing an offence contrary to Sections 6 and 8(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
Justice Erhabor convicted and sentenced Igbinekaro, Adebor, Oseh, Edozie, Okojie, Christopher, Best, Nwadiashi, and Grace to two years’ imprisonment each or to pay a N200,000 fine respectively, while he sentenced Richard, Kingsley, Ezeala, Goodluck, and Isioma to three years’ imprisonment each or to pay a N200,000 fine respectively.
On his part, Justice W.I. Aziegbemhin convicted and sentenced Oboh, Ayomide, and Ezerioha to two years’ imprisonment each or to pay a N400,000 fine respectively.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Benin Zonal Directorate prosecuted the cases, with the defendants pleading guilty to the charges.
The prosecution counsel prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly, while the defence counsel pleaded for mercy, stating that the defendants had become remorseful for their actions.
The sentences were handed down by Justices A.N. Erhabor and W.I. Aziegbemhin, with the convicts also forfeiting their phones, computers, and money in their bank accounts to the Federal Government.
They also undertook to be of good behaviour henceforth.
“This development is part of the EFCC’s efforts to combat internet fraud and other financial crimes in Nigeria.
“The commission has been actively prosecuting cases and securing convictions against individuals involved in fraudulent activities,” Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Dele Oyewale, said in a statement on Friday.
