Justice W.I. Aziegbemhin of the Edo State High Court in Benin City has convicted and sentenced 11 individuals for internet fraud-related crimes.
The convicts include Izomor Samuel Efe, Nosakhare Bright, Emovon Destiny, Vincent Arogbo, Osarentin Morgan Aduwa, Osagiede Destiny Oghosa, Nosakhare Ernest Theophilus, Junior Emmanuel Efe, Osimen Princewill, Obamedo Clinton, and David Iyobor.
The Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted them on separate charges, including obtaining by false pretences, advance fee fraud, possession of fraudulent documents, and retention of proceeds of crime.
All 11 pleaded guilty, prompting the prosecution to seek their conviction.
The judge sentenced Efe and Bright to two years imprisonment or a fine of ₦200,000 each, while Destiny and Arogbo received the same term with a ₦400,000 fine option.
The remaining convicts were sentenced to three years imprisonment or a ₦200,000 fine each.
Additionally, they forfeited their mobile devices, laptops, and funds in their bank accounts to the federal government and pledged to avoid criminal activities in the future.
Their arrest followed an EFCC sting operation based on credible intelligence linking them to online fraud.
