The Edo State High Court in Benin sentenced 21 individuals for internet fraud-related offenses, according to the EFCC’s statement.
Justices A.N. Erhabor and W.I. Aziegbemhin convicted and sentenced them separately for obtaining by false pretenses and financial crimes.
Convicts and Sentences
The EFCC identified the convicts as Eimuen Nathaniel, Ighagbon Anderson Andy, Precious Aigbokhai, and Divine Ebosetale Okhitie, among others.
Others sentenced include Ekpekurede Valour, Akuson Sunday, Oshoikpor Joshua, Onumegu Chukwuebuka Emmanuel, and Sylvester Oseokoedion, according to the EFCC’s official report.
Additional convicts include Osifor Kenneth, Abraham Eromosele, Aliu Sanusi Aliu, Donald Emuen, Oseghale Paris, and Amavu Paul from Edo State.
The list continues with Godsent Omokhoa, Omere Osabvohien Love, Stephen Edetalen Obhanoghor, Segun Nelson Owoyele, Emmanuel Essence, and Oriarewoh Divine Eronmonsele.
EFCC’s Case Against the Defendants
The EFCC stated that intelligence reports linked them to internet fraud, leading to their arrests by law enforcement operatives.
A sting operation was conducted by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC after confirming their involvement in fraudulent activities.
One charge stated that Nathaniel possessed documents containing false pretenses, violating Sections 6 and 8(b) of the law.
All defendants pleaded guilty to their charges when the court registrars read them during their separate trials.
Court Rulings and Sentences
The EFCC prosecution team urged the court to convict them, while their defense lawyers pleaded for leniency and mercy.
Justice Erhabor sentenced seven convicts to two years in jail, offering an alternative N200,000 fine for each.
Three convicts received three-year jail terms, with an option to pay a fine of N200,000 instead.
Justice Aziegbemhin sentenced Owoyele and Essence to two years in prison, with alternative fines of N300,000 and N600,000.
Four others received two-year sentences with an N200,000 fine, while some faced N400,000 fines for leniency.
Emuen received a three-year jail sentence, but he could pay N600,000 to avoid serving time.
Asset Forfeiture and Undertaking
The court ruled that all convicts must forfeit their devices and bank funds to the Nigerian Federal Government immediately.
Each convict must also sign a written undertaking, promising to maintain good behavior after completing their sentences.
EFCC’s Crackdown on Internet Fraud
The EFCC recently warned about internet fraudsters carrying weapons and engaging in ritual killings to evade arrests.
The agency also mourned Assistant Superintendent Aminu Sahabi Harisu, who was killed tracking a suspected cybercriminal.
This conviction reinforces the EFCC’s continued commitment to combating financial crimes and fraudulent activities across Nigeria.
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