Justices A.N. Erhabor and W.I. Aziegbemhin of the Edo State High Court have convicted and sentenced 34 internet fraudsters to various jail terms, marking a significant victory against cybercrime

Edo Internet Fraudsters Jailed in a sweeping crackdown, as Justices A.N. Erhabor and W.I. Aziegbemhin of the Edo State High Court, sitting in Benin City between May 29 and June 4, 2025, have convicted and sentenced 34 individuals to various jail terms for internet-related offences.

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According to a statement released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, the list of convicts includes Ogbeide Bright, George Micheal, Asazobro Kindness, Asamonye Chibudion, and Efosa Imasuen.

Further names on the list are Fortune Innocent, Owah Eloho, Osifo Bright, Oselunosen Oziegbe, Igbinogie Eloghosa, Abijade Jeffery, Godwin Osayowanbor, Okon Benjamin, Owie Etinosa, Emmanuel Ariwa, Ogbonna Precious, and Agboniroho Promise.

The extensive list of those sentenced also features Ogbonna Michael, Sunday Onyekachi, Igbinogie Amos, Favour Abdul, Efe Ediyeri, Benson Kelly, Oliver Chijioke, Odia Aisosa, Arinze Michael, Brainson Bassey, Paul Oreavbiere, Marvelous Imasuen, Adams Eloghosa, Omorodion Ayomide, Owenaze Wealth, and Nathaniel Ihaza.

The Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC prosecuted these individuals on separate one-count charges. These charges bordered on obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime, and possession of fraudulent documents.

For example, the charge against Bright read, “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 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.”

All the defendants pleaded “guilty” to their respective charges when they were read in court. This prompted prosecution counsel, including 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 request the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. Conversely, counsel to the defendants pleaded for leniency, citing their clients’ remorse.

Justice Erhabor, on May 29, convicted and sentenced the convicts to two years imprisonment each or to pay a fine of N200,000 respectively.

Justice W. I. Aziegbemhin followed suit on June 4, convicting and sentencing the remaining individuals to two years imprisonment each or a fine of N200,000 respectively.

“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 EFCC further stated.

The journey of these convicts to the Correctional Centre began with their arrest during a sting operation conducted 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, culminating in these significant convictions.