From Sola Ojo, Abuja
Justices A.N. Erhabor and W.I. Aziegbemhin of the Edo State High Courts, sitting in Benin City, between May 29 and June 4, convicted and sentenced 34 internet fraudsters to various jail terms.
The convicts are: Ogbeide Osayande Bright, George Micheal, Asazobro Kindness, Asamonye Davis Chibudion, Efosa Imasuen, Fortune Innocent, Owah Eloho, Osifo Bright, Oselunosen Ojeh Oziegbe, Igbinogie Esemude Eloghosa, Abijade Jeffery, Godwin Osayowanbor, Okon Bassey Joshua, Owie Success Etinosa, Emmanuel Chinedu Mohammed, Aminu Precious, Agboniroho Promise, Mohammed Michael, Sunday Onyekachi, Igbenosein Blessing Eze, Favour Abdul, Efe Louis Dele, Benson Odion Kelly, Benson Ovbokhan Ezeke, Oliver Collins Chijoke, Odia Aisosa, Arinze Michael, Brainson Joseph Bassey, Paul Eghosa Oreavbiere, Marvelous Imasuen, Adams Maxwell Eloghosa, Omorodion Ayomide, Owenaze Efe Wealth, and Nathaniel Ihaza.
They were prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on separate one-count charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime, and possession of fraudulent documents.
The charge against Bright reads: “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.”
All the defendants pleaded “guilty” to their charges when they were read to them, prompting the prosecution 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, to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly, while counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that they have become remorseful for their actions.
Justice Erhabor convicted and sentenced Ogbeide Osayande Bright, George Micheal, Asazobro Kindness, Igbinogie Esemude Eloghosa, Abijade Jeffery, Godwin Osayowanbor, Okon Bassey Joshua, Owie Success Etinosa, Emmanuel Chinedu Mohammed, Aminu Precious, Agboniroho Promise, Mohammed Michael, Sunday Onyekachi, Igbenosein Blessing Eze, Efe Louis Dele, Benson Odion Kelly, Benson Ovbokhan Eze, Oliver Collins Chijoke, Arinze Michael, Brainson Joseph Bassey, Paul Eghosa Oreavbiere, Marvelous Imasuen, Adams Maxwell Eloghosa, Omorodion Ayomide, Owenaze Efe Wealth, and Nathaniel Ihaza to two years’ imprisonment each or to pay a N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) fine.
Justice W.I. Aziegbemhin convicted and sentenced Asamonye Davis Chibudion, Efosa Imasuen, Fortune Innocent, Owah Eloho, Osifo Bright, Oselunosen Ojeh Oziegbe, Favour Abdul, and Odia Aisosa to two years’ imprisonment each or to pay a N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) fine.
In addition to their sentences, all the convicts forfeited their phones, computers, and money found in their respective bank accounts to the Federal Government of Nigeria 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 intelligence that linked them to fraudulent internet activities. They were subsequently charged in court and convicted, EFCC Spokesman Dele Oyewale said.