The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has achieved a significant victory in its fight against cybercrime, as 32 internet fraudsters were convicted and sentenced on Wednesday by Justices A.N. Erhabor and W.I. Aziegbemhin of the Edo State High Court in Benin City. This success was announced by the EFCC's Benin Zonal Directorate via X on Thursday.
Each of the 32 individuals faced separate one-count charges, encompassing a range of offenses including obtaining by false pretense, advance fee fraud, retention of proceeds of crime, and possession of fraudulent documents. The convicted individuals include a comprehensive list of names such as 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, Torkula Henry Luper, 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.
A representative charge, as detailed in the statement, highlighted the nature of the offenses, with one example stating: “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.” All 32 defendants entered guilty pleas to their respective charges, streamlining the judicial process.
Prosecuting counsels, including I.M. Elodi, I.K. Agwai, K.Y. Bello, Ibrahim Al-Amin, Salihu Ahmed, Bala Rabah, and Faisal Ibrahim, urged the court to proceed with convictions and appropriate sentencing. In response, defense counsels pleaded for leniency on behalf of their clients, citing their genuine remorse.
Justice Erhabor handed down sentences to 29 of the convicts, including Adievugwhare, Elliot, Emmanuel, and Godwin, prescribing two years of imprisonment or a fine of ₦200,000 each. Notably, Osabuohein received a more stringent sentence of five years imprisonment or a ₦500,000 fine. Justice Aziegbemhin, in turn, sentenced Kelvin and Osakpamwan to two years each, with the options of ₦300,000 and ₦400,000 fines, respectively. Omorosa also received a two-year sentence or a ₦200,000 fine.
Beyond their prison terms or fines, all convicts were subjected to forfeiture of their phones and computers, identified as instruments of their illicit activities, as well as any funds found in their bank accounts, which were deemed proceeds of their crimes. These forfeited assets will now belong to the federal government. Furthermore, each convict provided a written undertaking to maintain good behavior moving forward.
The path to their conviction began with their initial arrest by officers of the EFCC's Benin Zonal Directorate, following credible intelligence that exposed their involvement in fraudulent internet schemes.
