Eight Internet Fraudsters Sentenced to Jail in Benin City
Justice A.N. Erhabor of the Edo State High Court has sentenced eight individuals to prison for internet fraud, marking a victory for law enforcement in the region. The convicts—Akhigbe Andrew Okhaifoh, Collins Osagie, Wisdom Imaduerehie, Imade Destiny, Chibueze Onyeji, Edubi Favour, David Precious, and Michael Osas Iguma—each faced multiple charges including impersonation and obtaining money under pretenses.
The Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted the defendants on separate one-count charges that revealed a troubling pattern of deceit and financial exploitation. Collins Osagie, for instance, was found in possession of documents he knew were fraudulent, violating the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act.
All eight defendants pleaded guilty, leading the prosecution team—comprising I.M. Elodi, K.Y. Bello, Isa K. Agwai, A.A. Ibrahim Faisal, A.S. Bala-Ribah, and Ahmed Salihu—to recommend strict sentences. While the defendants’ counsel requested leniency, citing their remorse, Justice Erhabor imposed firm penalties.
Each of the convicts received a two-year prison sentence or a fine of N200,000 (approximately $500), while Iguma was handed a three-year term or the same fine. In addition to their sentences, the court ordered the forfeiture of their laptops, mobile phones, and bank account funds to the federal government. Osagie also lost a Lexus RX 350, recognized as proceeds of his bad activities.
