Edo Courts Imprison 34 Individuals for Internet Fraud

Between May 29 and June 4, 2025, Justices A.N. Erhabor and W.I. Aziegbemhin of the Edo State High Courts in Benin City convicted and sentenced 34 individuals involved in internet fraud to various prison terms.

The convicted individuals include 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, and Efe Louis Ediyeri. Additional convicts include 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 faced prosecution by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Commission on separate one-count charges that included obtaining by false pretenses, retaining proceeds of crime, and possessing fraudulent documents. For instance, the charge against Bright stated: "That you, Ogbeide Osayande Bright (male), on or about May 15, 2025, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession documents that you knew or should have known contained false pretenses, thereby 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" to the charges when presented, prompting the prosecution team—comprising 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 request appropriate convictions and sentences. The defense counsel, however, urged the court to show leniency, noting that the convicts expressed remorse for their actions. Justice Erhabor sentenced Ogbeide Osayande Bright, George Micheal, Asazobro Kindness, Igbinogie Esemude Eloghosa, Abijade Jeffery, Godwin Osayowanbor, 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, Adams Maxwell Eloghosa, Omorodion Ayomide, Owenaze Efe Wealth, and Nathaniel Ihaza to two years in prison each or a fine of 200,000 Naira. Justice W.I. Aziegbemhin handed down similar sentences to Asamonye Davis Chibudion, Efosa Imasuen, Fortune Innocent, Owah Eloho, Osifo Bright, Oselunosen Ojeh Oziegbe, Favour Abdul, and Odia Aisosa.

Alongside their sentences, all convicts forfeited their mobile phones, computers, and any money found in their bank accounts to the Federal Government of Nigeria. They also provided written commitments to exhibit good behavior in the future. The convicts' path to the Correctional Centre began with their arrests during a sting operation by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, which followed intelligence connecting them to internet fraud activities. They were subsequently charged and sentenced.