Tunde Bakare
Justices A.N. Erhabor and W. I. Aziegbemhin of Edo State High Courts sitting in Benin City, between May 29 and June 4, 2025 convicted and sentenced 34 internet fraudsters to various jail terms.
The convicts are; Ogbeide Osayande Bright, George Micheal, Asazobro Kindness, Asamonye Davis Chibudion, Efosa Imasuen, Fortune Innocent, Owah Eloho, Osifo Bright, Oselunosen Ojeh Oziegbe,, Igbinogie Esemude Eloghosa, Abijade Jeffery, Godwin Osayowanbor, Okon Bassey Benjamin, Owie Success Etinosa, Emmanuel Chinedu Ariwa, Ogbonna Precious, Agboniroho Promise, Ogbonna Michael, Sunday Onyekachi, Igbinogie Esenuede Amos, Favour Abdul, Efe Louis Ediyeri.
Others are: Benson Odion Kelly, Benson Ovbokhan Kelly, Oliver Collins Chijoke, Odia Aisosa, Arinze Michael, Brainson Joseph Bassey, Paul Eghosa Oreavbiere, Marvelous Imasuen, Adams Maxwell Eloghosa, Omorodion Ayomide, Owenaze Efe Wealth and Nathaniel Ihaza.
They were prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Commission on a one-count separate charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime and possession of fraudulent documents.
The charge against Bright reads: “That you Ogbeide Osayande Bright (m) on or about the 15th of May, 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.”
All the defendants pleaded “guilty” to their charges when they were read to them, prompting the prosecution counsel, F.A Jirbo, I.M Elodi, I.K Agwai, K.Y Bello, Ibrahim Al-Amin, M.S Dahiru, Salihu Ahmed, Bala Rabah and Faisal Ibrahim to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly, while counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that they have become remorseful for their actions.
Justice Erhabor convicted and sentenced Ogbeide Osayabde Bright, George Micheal, Asazobro Kindness, Igbinogie Esemude Eloghosa, Abijade Jeffery, Godwin Osayowonbo, Okon Bassey Benjamin, Owie success Etinosa, Emmanuel Chinedu Ariwa, Ogbonna Precious, Agboniroho Promise, Benson Ovbokhan Kelly, Ogbonna Michael, Sunday Onyekachi, Igbinogie Esenuede Amos, Efe Louis Ediyeri, Benson Odion Kelly, Oliver Collins, Arinze Michael, Brainson Joseph Bassey, Paul Eghosa Oreavbiere, Marvelous Imasuen, Adam’s Maxwell Eloghosa, Omorodion Ayomide, Owenaze Efe Wealth and Nathaniel Ihaza to two years imprisonment, each or to pay N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) fine respectively.
Justice W.I. Aziegbemhin convicted and sentenced Asamonye Davis Chibudion, Efosa Imasuen, Fortune Innocent, Owah Eloho, Osifo Bright, Oselunosen Ojeh Oziegbe, Favour Abdul, and Odia Aisosa to two years imprisonment each or to pay N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) fine respectively.
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 and undertook in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth.
The convicts’ 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. They were subsequently charged to court and jailed.