9 internet fraudsters convicted in Benin as EFCC intensifies crackdown

The Edo State High Court in Benin City has convicted and sentenced nine individuals for internet-related fraud between March 27 and April 11, 2025, following successful prosecutions by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement released on Friday, the EFCC revealed that the convicted individuals are Desmond Aghanenu, Okolie Bright, Emeka Matthew, Anikwushe Calin, Precious Okonkwo, Ojie Emeka, Safety Austin, Promise Lucky, and Ebi Ferguson.

Each of the convicts faced a separate one-count charge, which included offences such as obtaining money under false pretence, unlawful possession of fraudulent documents, and retention of proceeds of crime.

The charge brought against Desmond Aghanenu read: “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 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.”

Upon arraignment, all nine defendants admitted guilt. This led prosecution lawyers F.A. Jirbo, I.M. Elodi, Isa K. Agwai, and Bala-Ribah to urge the court to deliver convictions, while defence counsel appealed for leniency, stating that the defendants had shown remorse.

Presiding judge, Justice A.N. Erhabor, sentenced eight of the defendants—Aghanenu, Bright, Matthew, Calin, Okonkwo, Emeka, Austin, and Lucky—to two years in prison each, with the option of paying a fine of N200,000. Ebi Ferguson received a slightly stiffer sentence of three years’ imprisonment or the same fine.

In addition to their sentences, the court ordered the forfeiture of mobile phones, computers, and funds traced to the convicts’ bank accounts to the Federal Government. The individuals also signed written undertakings pledging to conduct themselves responsibly moving forward.