Edo Courts Sentence 34 Internet Fraudsters to Jail

Court

By TONY ADAMS

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.