Twenty-three people have been jailed by the Edo State High Court in Benin City for internet fraud. The sentencing happened between April 11 and 17, 2025.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission shared the news on its official X (formerly Twitter) page on Saturday.
According to the EFCC, Justices W.I. Aziegbemhin and A.N. Erhabor sentenced the fraudsters to different jail terms after they were found guilty of internet-related crimes.
The suspects were charged with offences like obtaining money by false pretence, keeping money made from crime, and having fake documents.
One of the charges read in court stated:
“That you, Chinonso Peter Iwuchukwu, on or about April 12, 2025, had in your possession documents that contained false information. You knew, or should have known, they were fake. This is against 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 23 pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them.
Prosecution lawyers F.A. Jirbo, I.M. Elodi, and K.Y. Bello asked the court to convict and sentence them. Meanwhile, the defence lawyers asked the judges to show mercy, saying the defendants were sorry for their actions.
Justice A.N. Erhabor sentenced 16 of the convicts, including Chinonso Peter Iwuchukwu and Jude Okolie, to two years in prison or a fine of ₦200,000 each. Chineye Isioma Christian and Uzodion Luke were sentenced to three years in prison or a ₦200,000 fine each.
Justice W.I. Aziegbemhin sentenced Uzorchukwu Peace Udoka, Erubasa Oghenetega, and Ajayi Aisosa to two years or ₦200,000 fine each. David Ogwunu and Lucky Ehizojie got three years each or a fine of ₦500,000.
The court also ordered that their phones, laptops, and money in their bank accounts—believed to be proceeds of fraud—be given to the Federal Government.
The EFCC said the convicts were arrested during a sting operation carried out by its Benin Zonal Directorate.
“They were arrested after our officers got strong information linking them to online fraud,” the commission said.
All the convicts signed written promises to behave better in the future.
