June 05, (THEWILL) – An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has convicted and sentenced 34 internet fraudsters to varying jail terms for offences bordering on cybercrime, including obtaining by false pretence, possession of fraudulent documents, and retention of proceeds of crime.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its Benin Zonal Directorate, arraigned the defendants on separate one-count charges.
The convictions were secured between May 29 and June 4, 2025, before Justices A.N. Erhabor and W.I. Aziegbemhin.
According to the EFCC, the suspects were arrested during a sting operation following actionable intelligence linking them to internet-related fraud.
One of the charges read:
“That you, Ogbeide Osayande Bright (m), on or about the 15th of May, 2025, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known contained false pretence, 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.”
Upon arraignment, all 34 defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges. Prosecuting counsel – F.A. Jirbo, I.M. Elodi, I.K. Agwai, K.Y. Bello, Ibrahim Al-Amin, M.S. Dahiru, Salihu Ahmed, Bala Rabah, and Faisal Ibrahim – urged the court to convict them as charged, while defence counsel pleaded for leniency, citing the remorse of the convicts.
Justice Erhabor sentenced the following to two years imprisonment each or an option of a N200,000 fine:
Ogbeide Osayande Bright, George Michael, Asazobro Kindness, Igbinogie Esemude Eloghosa, Abijade Jeffery, Godwin Osayowanbor, Okon Bassey Benjamin, Owie Success Etinosa, Emmanuel Chinedu Ariwa, Ogbonna Precious, Agboniroho Promise, Benson Ovbokhan Kelly, Ogbonna Michael, Sunday Onyekachi, Igbinogie Esenuede Amos, Efe Louis Ediyeri, Benson Odion Kelly, Oliver Collins Chijioke, Arinze Michael, Brainson Joseph Bassey, Paul Eghosa Oreavbiere, Marvelous Imasuen, Adams Maxwell Eloghosa, Omorodion Ayomide, Owenaze Efe Wealth, and Nathaniel Ihaza.
Justice Aziegbemhin gave the same sentence to Asamonye Davis Chibudion, Efosa Imasuen, Fortune Innocent, Owah Eloho, Osifo Bright, Oselunosen Ojeh Oziegbe, Favour Abdul, and Odia Aisosa.
Beyond their convictions, all convicts were ordered to forfeit mobile phones, laptops, and funds traced to their bank accounts to the Federal Government. Each also signed an undertaking to be of good behaviour henceforth.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
