EFCC) has successfully prosecuted and convicted 32 individuals involved in fraud

The Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully prosecuted and convicted 32 individuals involved in internet fraud.

The cases were presided over by Justices A.N. Erhabor and W.I. Aziegbemhin at the Edo State High Courts in Benin City. Among those convicted are: Amos Adievugwhare, Kelvin Osakpamwan, Isaac Kelvin, Obanuso Elliot, Ndubisi Emmanuel, Danjuma Godwin, Abraham Abisere, Enang Shedrack, Wiliki Bright, David Dagul, Imooa Michael, Targema Solomon, Henry Davou, Akinluyi Ayoola Cornelinus, Ifeanyi Nelson Pius, and Torkula Henry Luper. The list continues with Yahaya Jibrin, Monday Atekha Destiny, Sodiq Ahmad, Anthony Gabriel Onuche, Anyaler Udoka, Seun Ibeg, Dallah Osikadi, Ediwin Asemota, Igbo Aondona, Iyobosa Okoro, Osayande Bright, Isiguzo Chidi Morris, Kadiri Bobby Abdul, Osazee Marvins Osabuohein, Efosa Destiny Omorosa, and Kelvin Adams Aisosa. Each defendant faced individual one-count charges related to obtaining by false pretenses, advance fee fraud, retaining proceeds of crime, and possession of fraudulent documents. For example, the charge against Adievugwhare stated: "That you, Amos Adievugwhare, on or about April 15, 2025, within this Honourable Court's jurisdiction, had in your possession documents that you knew or ought to have known contained false pretenses, thus committing an offense contrary to Section 6 and 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006, punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act." All defendants pleaded "guilty" when their charges were read, leading prosecution counsel— I.M. Elodi, I.K. Agwai, K.Y. Bello, Ibrahim Al-Amin, Salihu Ahmed, Bala Rabah, and Faisal Ibrahim — to request appropriate sentences from the court.

The defense attorneys urged leniency, noting that the convicts expressed remorse for their actions. Justice Erhabor sentenced Adievugwhare, Elliot, Emmanuel, Godwin, Abisere, Shedrack, Bright, Dagul, Michael, Solomon, Davou, Cornelinus, Pius, Luper, Jibrin, Destiny, Ahmad, Onuche, Udoka, Ibeg, Osikadi, Aondona, Okoro, Bright, Morris, Abdul, Asemota, and Aisosa each to two years in prison or a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira). Osabuohein received a more severe penalty of five years imprisonment or a fine of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira). Justice W.I. Aziegbemhin also sentenced Kelvin and Osakpamwan to two years in prison each or fines of N300,000 and N400,000 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira), respectively. Additionally, Omorosa received a two-year prison term or a fine of N200,000. As part of their sentences, all convicted individuals forfeited their mobile phones and computers—tools of their crimes—as well as any funds found in their bank accounts, deemed proceeds of their illegal activities, to the federal government.
They also signed written commitments to maintain good behavior in the future. The arrests of the defendants were initiated by officers from the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC based on reliable intelligence regarding their fraudulent online activities.