Edo High Court Sentences 23 Internet Fraudsters to Jail with Option of Fines, Orders Forfeiture of Proceeds After EFCC Sting Operation
A total of 23 internet fraudsters have been convicted and sentenced to varying jail terms by the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City between April 11 and 17, 2025.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) disclosed this in a statement posted on its official X handle on Saturday.
According to the statement, Justices W.I. Aziegbemhin and A.N. Erhabor presided over the cases and handed down sentences ranging from two to three years imprisonment, with options of fines.
Those convicted include Uzorchukwu Peace Udoka, Erubasa Oghenetega, David Ogwunu, Jude Okolie, Lucky Ehizojie, Chineye Isioma Christian, Obadiunor Joseph Ikechukwu, Ugochukwu Adingwu, Ifeanyi Okechukwu, Patrick Chinedu Chukwujekwe, Ugboh Chibuzor, Monday Shedrack, Udochukwu Onuka, Uzodion Luke, and Ehighola Emmanuel Akhere. Others are Godstime Osunde Oskpolor, Promise Onyugboh, Onuka Patrick, Chinonso Peter Iwuchukwu, Ajayi Aisosa, Aiwansoba Prince, Goddey Jeremiah, and Ojimah John Oseni.
They were prosecuted on separate one-count charges involving obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime, and possession of fraudulent documents.
All defendants pleaded guilty to the charges, prompting the prosecution counsel—F.A. Jirbo, I.M. Elodi, and K.Y. Bello—to request convictions. Defense counsel, in turn, pleaded for leniency, citing the remorse shown by the accused.
Justice Erhabor sentenced 16 of the convicts to two years in prison or a fine of N200,000 each. Two others received three-year terms or the same fine. Justice Aziegbemhin also sentenced five to two years imprisonment or N200,000 fines, while two others were given three years or N500,000 fines.
Additionally, all convicts forfeited their mobile phones, laptops, and funds traced to their bank accounts to the Federal Government, being proceeds of crime. They also signed undertakings to be of good behaviour.
The EFCC said the arrests were made following a sting operation by operatives of its Benin Zonal Directorate based on credible intelligence linking the individuals to internet-related fraud.
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