A High Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State, has convicted and sentenced nine internet fraudsters for offences bordering on obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime, and possession of fraudulent documents.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Benin Zonal Directorate, disclosed in a statement on Friday that the convictions were secured between March 27 and April 11, 2025, before Justice A.N. Erhabor of the Edo State High Court.
The convicts are: Desmond Aghanenu, Okolie Bright, Emeka Matthew, Anikwushe Calin, Precious Onyeka Okonkwo, Ojie Victor Emeka, Safety Tamarakuro Austin, Promise Osas Lucky and Ebi Ferguson.
While eight of the convicts were given the option of a fine of N200,000 each instead of two-year jail terms, one of them, Ebi Ferguson, was sentenced to three years imprisonment or the same fine amount.
According to the EFCC, all nine were arrested during a sting operation based on actionable intelligence linking them to fraudulent online activities. Upon their arraignment, they each pleaded guilty to a one-count charge brought against them.
The charge against Desmond Aghanenu read:
“That you Desmond Aghanenu (m) on or about the 14th of March, 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.”
Following the guilty pleas, prosecuting counsels — F.A. Jirbo, I.M. Elodi, Isa K. Agwai, and Bala-Ribah — urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. Defence counsels pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that the accused were remorseful and willing to turn a new leaf.
In delivering judgment, Justice Erhabor convicted all nine defendants. Desmond Aghanenu, Okolie Bright, Emeka Matthew, Anikwushe Calin, Precious Onyeka Okonkwo, Ojie Victor Emeka, Safety Tamarakuro Austin, and Promise Osas Lucky were sentenced to two years imprisonment each or a fine of N200,000.
Ebi Ferguson received a stiffer sentence of three years imprisonment or the same fine.
Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of all items recovered from the convicts, including mobile phones, laptop computers, and funds traced to their bank accounts, to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Each convict was also required to sign a written undertaking to be of good behaviour moving forward.
“Their journey to the correctional centre began with their arrest in a sting operation by operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC following intelligence that linked them to fraudulent internet activities,” the statement said.
The EFCC reiterated its commitment to purging Nigeria of cybercrime and other financial crimes, urging young people to steer clear of internet fraud and channel their energies into legitimate ventures.