In a major victory against cybercrime, Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully secured the conviction of 34 internet fraudsters before the Edo State High Court in Benin City.
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According to the EFCC, the convictions were secured between May 29 and June 4, 2025, before Justices A.N. Erhabor and W.I. Aziegbemhin.
The convicted individuals were arraigned on charges ranging from obtaining by false pretence to possession of fraudulent documents, all under Nigeria’s Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006.
The convicts include Ogbeide Osayande Bright, George Micheal, Asamonye Davis, and 31 others. All defendants pleaded guilty, and their lawyers appealed for leniency, citing their cooperation and remorse.
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Justice Erhabor sentenced 26 individuals to two years imprisonment or a ₦200,000 fine, while Justice Aziegbemhin gave a similar sentence to the remaining eight.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of all tools used in the crime — including mobile phones, laptops, and bank account funds — to the Federal Government. Each convict signed a written undertaking to maintain good behaviour henceforth.
Prosecutors such as F.A. Jirbo, I.M. Elodi, and Salihu Ahmed represented the EFCC. The crackdown followed a sting operation carried out by the Benin Zonal Directorate after intelligence reports linked the individuals to cybercrime.
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This conviction marks yet another milestone in the EFCC’s relentless fight against internet fraud across Nigeria, reinforcing the government’s commitment to rooting out financial crimes.
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