The Edo State High Courts in Benin City have sentenced 29 internet fraudsters to various jail terms following their conviction for cyber-related crimes. The verdict was delivered by Justices A.N. Erhabor and W.I. Aziegbemhin, according to a statement released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday.
List of Convicted Fraudsters
The convicts include Edeyibo Rukewe Hope, Igbafe David, Emakhu Bonfrey, Genesis Ndujifor, Okolosie Godstime, Chukwu David, Ebuka Emmanuel, Akhere Akahomhen, Odiniru Emeka Vet, Obiora Mike Kelvin, and others.
EFCC’s Charges and Court Proceedings
The suspects were arrested in a sting operation by the EFCC’s Benin Zonal Directorate after credible intelligence linked them to online fraud. They were charged separately with offenses such as obtaining by false pretence, advance fee fraud, possession of fraudulent documents, and retention of proceeds of crime.
One of the charges read:
“That you, Edeyibo Rukewe Hope, on or about the 27th of February, 2025, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did have in your possession documents containing false pretences, thereby committing an offense contrary to Section 6 and 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006, punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
During the trial, all the defendants pleaded guilty. While the prosecution counsel urged the court to convict them accordingly, the defense pleaded for leniency, stating that the convicts were remorseful.
Sentencing and Asset Forfeiture
Justice Erhabor sentenced 17 convicts to two years in prison each or a fine of ₦200,000, while Justice Aziegbemhin sentenced another 12 to the same term, with some required to pay ₦400,000 fines.
Additionally, the court ordered:
- The forfeiture of a Mercedes Benz C300 belonging to Odiniru Emeka Vet, which was deemed to be proceeds of crime.
- The forfeiture of phones, laptops, and other assets seized from the convicts to the federal government.
- That all convicts sign an undertaking to exhibit good behavior in the future.
EFCC’s Ongoing Fight Against Cybercrime
This case highlights the EFCC’s intensified crackdown on internet fraud in Nigeria. The agency has raised concerns about the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals, some of whom have been found carrying firearms and engaging in ritual killings.
The EFCC also recently lost one of its officers, Assistant Superintendent Aminu Sahabi Harisu, who was killed on January 17, 2025, while tracking a suspected internet fraudster.
This latest wave of convictions follows a March 7 court ruling in which 21 internet fraudsters were jailed in Edo State. Authorities continue to urge Nigerians to remain vigilant and report suspicious cyber activities to law enforcement agencies.
