EFCC: 10 Internet Fraudsters Jailed in Benin City, Phones and Laptops Forfeited
Convicted fraudsters handed two-year jail terms or fines; assets including phones, laptops, and funds forfeited to government.
The Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of 10 internet fraudsters before Justice M. Itsueli of the Edo State High Court, sitting in Benin City.
The convicts, identified as Okoro Emmanuel, Billwise James Dikoru, Enoma Osasumwen, Samson Festus, Godspower Afolorunikon, Omonle Godwin Damien, Sunday Uanseoje, Sylvester Iziren Udu, Ani Emmanuel Chucks, and Amilegbe Saviour, were arraigned on separate one-count charges. The charges included impersonation, obtaining money under false pretenses, advance fee fraud, retention of crime proceeds, and possession of fraudulent documents.
One of the charges, against Okoro Emmanuel, stated that he was found in possession of fraudulent documents on his iPhone 11, with IMEI number 356867116691538, which contained false pretenses an offense contrary to Sections 6 and 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
All ten defendants pleaded guilty to the charges. Prosecution counsels K.Y. Bello and Isa K. Agwai urged the court to convict and sentence them, while defense lawyers asked the judge for leniency, arguing that the defendants had shown remorse.
Justice Itsueli subsequently sentenced each defendant to two years in prison, with the option of paying a fine of ₦200,000 (two hundred thousand naira).
In addition, the court ordered the forfeiture of their mobile phones, laptops, and funds in their bank accounts deemed proceeds of crime to the federal government. Each convict also signed a written undertaking to exhibit good behavior moving forward.
The EFCC said the convictions stemmed from arrests made by its Benin Zonal Directorate, following intelligence that exposed the group’s online fraud operations.
