NIGERIA: Court Jails Nine Internet Fraudsters In Benin City

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

Nine internet fraudsters have been convicted and sentenced by the Edo State High Court in Benin City, following successful prosecution by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement released by the Commission on Friday on its official X handle, the convictions were secured between March 27 and April 11, 2025, before Justice A.N. Erhabor.

The convicted individuals are: Desmond Aghanenu, Okolie Bright, Emeka Matthew, Anikwushe Calin, Precious Onyeka Okonkwo, Ojie Victor Emeka, Safety Tamarakuro Austin, Promise Osas Lucky, and Ebi Ferguson.

They were each arraigned on separate one-count charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime, and possession of fraudulent documents.

One of the charges against Desmond Aghanenu reads:

“That you, Desmond Aghanenu (m), on or about the 14th of March, 2025 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known contained false pretences, thereby committing 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 nine defendants pleaded guilty to the charges against them. In response, prosecution counsels F.A. Jirbo, I.M. Elodi, Isa K. Agwai, and Bala-Ribah urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

Defense lawyers, however, pleaded for leniency, noting that the defendants had shown remorse for their actions.

The statement further reads: “Justice Erhabor convicted and sentenced Desmond Aghanenu, Okolie Bright, Emeka Matthew, Anikwushe Calin, Precious Onyeka Okonkwo, Ojie Victor Emeka, Safety Tamarakuro Austin, Promise Osas Lucky to two years imprisonment, each or pay N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) fine respectively, while Ebi Ferguson bagged three years imprisonment or pay a fine of N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira).

“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.”

EFCC, however, affirms that it remains committed to fighting cybercrimes.

“The Commission remains committed to cleansing the cyber space and bringing internet fraudsters to justice,” it said.