The Edo State High Court in Benin City has sentenced 11 internet fraudsters to different jail terms for offences related to fraud and possession of fraudulent documents.
Justice W.I. Aziegbemhin gave the sentences after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission prosecuted them on separate one-count charges.
The convicted persons are 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, they were arrested in a sting operation after credible intelligence linked them to online fraud.
One of the charges 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 pleaded guilty to the charges. The prosecution, led by F.A. Jirbo, I.K. Agwai, and Salihu Ahmed, urged the court to convict them, while their defence counsel pleaded for leniency.
Justice Aziegbemhin sentenced Izomor Efe and Nosakhare Bright to two years imprisonment with an option of a N200,000 fine each. Emovon Destiny and Vincent Arogbo received two-year sentences with a N400,000 fine each.
Aduwa, Oghosa, Theophilus, Junior Efe, Princewill, Clinton, and Iyobor were sentenced to three years in prison, with an option of a N200,000 fine each.
The court also ordered that all the convicts forfeit their phones, laptops, and money found in their bank accounts to the federal government. They also signed an undertaking to be of good behaviour in the future.
“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 EFCC stated.
