Edo court jails 11 for Internet fraud

The Edo State High Court, sitting in Benin City, has convicted and sentenced 11 internet fraudsters to various jail terms for offences related to obtaining by false pretence, advance fee fraud, and possession of fraudulent documents.

According to a statement on Friday via X by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Justice W.I. Aziegbemhin handed down the sentences after the EFCC’s Benin Zonal Directorate prosecuted the individuals on separate one-count charges.

The convicts include Izomor Samuel Efe, Nosakhare Bright, Emovon Destiny, Vincent Arogbo, Osarentin Morgan Aduwa, Osagiede Destiny Oghosa, Nosakhare Ernest Theophilus, Junior Emmanuel Efe, Osimen Princewill, Obamedo Clinton, and David Iyobor.

According to the EFCC, the convicts were apprehended in a sting operation following credible intelligence linking them to fraudulent internet activities.

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One of the charges, as presented against Efe, read, “That you, Justice Samuel Efe (m), on or about the 8th of February 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 Section 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.”

All 11 individuals pleaded guilty to the charges when read to them. Following their pleas, prosecution counsels F.A. Jirbo, I.K. Agwai, and Salihu Ahmed urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

In response, the defence counsel pleaded for leniency, stating that the accused had shown remorse for their actions.

In his ruling, Justice Aziegbemhin sentenced Izomor Efe and Nosakhare Bright to two years imprisonment, with the option of a N200,000 fine each. Emovon Destiny and Vincent Arogbo received similar two-year sentences but with a N400,000 fine each.

Additionally, Aduwa, Oghosa, Theophilus, Junior Efe, Princewill, Clinton, and Iyobor were sentenced to three years imprisonment, with the option of a N200,000 fine each.

“In addition to their sentences, all the convicts forfeited their phones, laptop computers and sums of money seen in their bank accounts to the federal government and undertook in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth.

“The convicts’ journey to the correctional centre began with their arrest in a sting operation by operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC following credible intelligence that linked them to fraudulent internet activities,” the statement added.