Edo Court Convicts 23 Internet Fraudsters, Sentences Them to Varying Jail Terms
Between April 11 and 17, 2025, the Edo State High Court in Benin City convicted and sentenced 23 individuals to various prison terms for their involvement in internet fraud.
The convictions were announced in a statement released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Saturday.
The convicted individuals, who pleaded guilty to charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime, and possession of fraudulent documents, were sentenced by Justices W.I. Aziegbemhin and A.N. Erhabor.
The charges were brought by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC.
The list of convicts includes:
1. Uzorchukwu Peace Udoka
2. Erubasa Oghenetega
3. David Ogwunu
4. Jude Okolie
5. Lucky Ehizojie
6. Chineye Isioma Christian
7. Obadiunor Josoph Ikechukwu
8. Ugochukwu Adingwu
9. Ifeanyi Okechukwu
10. Patrick Chinedu Chukwujekwe
11. Ugboh Chibuzor
12. Monday Shedrack
13. Udochukwu Onuka
14. Uzodion Luke
15. Ehighola Emmanuel Akhere
16. Godstime Osunde Oskpolor
17. Promise Onyugboh
18. Onuka Patrick
19. Chinonso Peter Iwuchukwu
20. Ajayi Aisosa
21. Aiwansoba Prince
22. Goddey Jeremiah
23. Ojimah John Oseni
The charges against the convicts included possession of documents containing false pretence, contrary to Section 6 and 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006.
Upon pleading guilty, the prosecution counsel, F.A. Jirbo, I.M. Elodi, and K.Y. Bello, prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly.
The defense counsel, on the other hand, pleaded for leniency, stating that the defendants had become remorseful for their actions.
The sentences handed down by the court were as follows:
* 17 defendants, including Chinonso Peter Iwuchukwu, Jude Okolie, and Obadiunor Joseph Ikechukwu, were sentenced to two years imprisonment each, with an option of a N200,000 fine.
* Chineye Isioma Christian and Uzodion Luke received three years imprisonment each, with an option of a N200,000 fine.
* Uzorchukwu Peace Udoka, Erubasa Oghenetega, and Ajayi Aisosa were sentenced to two years imprisonment each, with an option of a N200,000 fine.
* David Ogwunu and Lucky Ehizojie received stiffer penalties, each being sentenced to three years imprisonment, with an option of a N500,000 fine.
In addition to their sentences, all the convicts forfeited their phones, computers, and money found in their respective bank accounts to the Federal Government of Nigeria, being proceeds of crime. They also undertook to be of good behavior henceforth.
The EFCC revealed that the convicts were arrested in a sting operation by operatives of its Benin Zonal Directorate, following actionable intelligence linking them to online fraudulent activities. The commission’s efforts to combat internet fraud and other financial crimes continue to yield results, with the latest convictions serving as a deterrent to potential offenders.
