25 Internet Fraudsters Convicted In Benin (Photos)

Twenty-five internet fraudsters have been convicted and handed varying prison sentences by Justices W. I. Aziegbemhin and A. N. Erhabor of the Edo State High Court in Benin City.

Those convicted include Tremendous Irosaike Eraze, Etinosa Newman, Benjamin Evbayemwenru, Otomobor Prosper, Osalumhewse Hope, Omigiri Shedrack Sabinus, Imasekhomwan Favour Lucky, Karoighen Enamegoulor, Onuka Patrick, Osarenmen Iyobosa, Justice Osakpolor Amadin, Iboi Joshua, Edward Peter Osagie, Sunday Wisdom, Ozili Jude, Idehen Kelvin, Destiny Melekwelu, Eyoto Favour, Blessed Awosei Odekhilan, Melekwelu Daniel Chinedu, Sunday Olawole, Abulime Promise, Salisu Lucky Nurudeen, Idehen Lucky, and Ohikhozai Zion.

The convicts, who were prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), faced separate one-count charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence, advance fee fraud, possession of fraudulent documents, and retention of proceeds of crime.

In a statement on the EFCC's official X handle,the suspects upon hearing their charges all pleaded guilty and have been sentenced to jail and their phones,laptops and money in the bank confiscated to the federal government.

The statement reads in part: "Justices W.l. Aziegbemhin and A.N. Erhabor of Edo State High Court, sitting in Benin City have convicted and sentenced 25 internet fraudsters to various jail terms.

"The convicts are: Tremendous Irosaike Eraze, Etinosa Newman, Benjamin Evbayemwenru, Otomobor Prosper, Osalumhewse Hope, Omigiri Shedrack Sabinus, Imasekhomwan Favour Lucky, Karoighen Enamegoulor, Onuka Patrick, Osarenmen Iyobosa and Justice Osakpolor Amadin.

"Others are: Iboi Joshua, Edward Peter Osagie, Sunday Wisdom, Ozili Jude, Idehen Kelvin, Destiny Melekwelu, Eyoto Favour, Blessed Awosei Odekhilan, Melekwelu Daniel Chinedu, Sunday Olawole, Abulime Promise, Salisu Lucky Nurudeen, Idehen Lucky and Ohikhozai Zion.

"They were prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a separate one-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence, advance fee fraud, retention of proceeds of crime and possession of fraudulent documents.

"The charge against Eraze reads: "That you Tremendous Irosaike Eraze (m) on or about the 15th of April, 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.”

"They all pleaded “guilty” to their charge when they were read to them, prompting the prosecution counsel, F.A Jirbo, I.M Elodi I.K Agwai, K.Y Bello, A. Al-Amin Ibrahim, 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."