The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Wednesday, secured the conviction and sentencing of 32 internet fraudsters before Justices A.N. Erhabor and W.I. Aziegbemhin of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City.
According to a statement posted on Thursday via X by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, the convicts were prosecuted on separate one-count charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence, advance fee fraud, retention of proceeds of crime, and possession of fraudulent documents.
The convicts include Amos Adievugwhare, Kelvin Osakpamwan, Isaac Kelvin, Obanuso Elliot, Ndubisi Emmanuel, Danjuma Godwin, Abraham Abisere, Enang Shedrack, Wiliki Bright, David Dagul, Imooa Michael, Targema Solomon, Henry Davou, Akinluyi Ayoola Cornelinus, Ifeanyi Nelson Pius, and Torkula Henry Luper. Others are Yahaya Jibrin, Monday Atekha Destiny, Sodiq Ahmad, Anthony Gabriel Onuche, Anyaler Udoka, Seun Ibeg, Dallah Osikadi, Ediwin Asemota, Igbo Aondona, Iyobosa Okoro, Osayande Bright, Isiguzo Chidi Morris, Kadiri Bobby Abdul, Osazee Marvins Osabuohein, Efosa Destiny Omorosa, and Kelvin Adams Aisosa.
One of the charges reads, “That you, Amos Adievugwhare (m), on or about the 15th of April, 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 committed 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.”
The statement noted that all 32 defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges.
Prosecuting counsels I.M. Elodi, I.K. Agwai, K.Y. Bello, Ibrahim Al-Amin, Salihu Ahmed, Bala Rabah, and Faisal Ibrahim urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. Defence counsel pleaded for leniency, citing their clients’ remorse.
Justice Erhabor sentenced 29 of the convicts — including Adievugwhare, Elliot, Emmanuel, Godwin, and others — to two years in prison each or a fine of ₦200,000. Osabuohein received five years imprisonment or a fine of ₦500,000.
Justice Aziegbemhin sentenced Kelvin and Osakpamwan to two years each, with the option of ₦300,000 and ₦400,000 fines, respectively. Omorosa also received two years or a ₦200,000 fine.
“In addition to their sentences, all the convicts forfeited their phones and computers, being tools of their crime and money found in their respective bank accounts, being proceeds of their crime, respectively 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 by officers of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC following credible intelligence that exposed their fraudulent internet activities,” the statement added.
