By Nkechi Eze
Justice M. Itsueli of the Edo State High Court, sitting in Benin City, on Monday, August 11, convicted and sentenced 15 internet fraudsters to various jail terms for offences bordering on obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime, and possession of fraudulent documents.
According to an official statement by the spokesperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Dele Oyewale, the convicts are Osasere Uyi, Osayande Godstime Edosa, Ewaen Agbonma, Godstime Ehighagwan, Peter Miracle, Ehondor Lucky Etinosa, Ezomo Osamudiamen Desmond, Itobore Divine, Iyase Aisosa, Dominion Idehen, Ejiroghene Theophilus, Destiny Nosakhare, Efosa Imuetintan, Ahmed Aliyui, and Samuel Osakpamwan.
They were arraigned by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC on separate one-count charges. One of the charges, against Godstime Ehighagwan, read:
“That you Godstime Ehighagwan (m) on or about the 31st of July, 2025 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did have in your possession, on your iPhone 15 Pro Max with IMEI Number 358759859798828, documents which you knew or ought to have known contain a false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 and 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
All defendants pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them, prompting prosecution counsel I.K. Agwai, K.Y. Bello, A.S. Bala-Ribah, and M.S. Dahiru to urge the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. Defence counsel pleaded for leniency, stating that the convicts were remorseful.
Justice Itsueli sentenced all 15 to two years imprisonment each or an option of a ₦200,000 fine. The court also ordered the forfeiture of their mobile phones, laptops, and bank balances to the Federal Government as proceeds of crime. The convicts further signed undertakings to be of good behaviour henceforth.
Their conviction followed their arrest during a sting operation by EFCC operatives in Benin, after intelligence linked them to various fraudulent internet activities. They were subsequently charged to court and jailed.
