By Tokunbo2
Copyright thesun
From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of 10 internet fraudsters in Benin, Edo State, while also arraigning a man in Abuja over an alleged $500,000 scam.
In Benin, the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Commission secured the conviction of 10 internet fraudsters before Justice M. Itsueli of the Edo State High Court.
The convicts are: Okoro Emmanuel, Billwise James Dikoru, Enoma Osasumwen, Samson Festus, Godspower Afolorunikon, Omonle Godwin Damien, Sunday Uanseoje, Sylvester Iziren Udu, Ani Emmanuel Chucks, and Amilegbe Saviour.
They were prosecuted on separate one-count charges bordering on impersonation, obtaining by false pretence, advance fee fraud, retention of proceeds of crime, and possession of fraudulent documents.
For instance, the charge against Okoro Emmanuel stated that he was found in possession of fraudulent documents on his iPhone 11, which he “knew or ought to have known contained false pretences.”
This contravened Sections 6 and 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006.
All 10 defendants pleaded guilty, prompting EFCC counsel K.Y. Bello and Isa K. Agwai to request their conviction.
Defence lawyers, however, pleaded for leniency, citing their remorse.
Justice Itsueli convicted and sentenced each of them to two years’ imprisonment or a fine of N200,000.
Their mobile phones, laptops, and funds traced to their bank accounts were forfeited to the Federal Government.
They also signed undertakings to be of good behaviour.
The convicts’ arrests followed intelligence reports that exposed their involvement in fraudulent internet activities across Benin City.
Meanwhile, in Abuja, the Commission arraigned one Ndubisi Kenechukwu Ugonna before Justice E. Okpe of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Gudu, on a one-count charge of obtaining by false pretence to the tune of $500,000.
According to the charge, Ugonna allegedly defrauded one Kofoworola Olagunju in 2020 by claiming he had the capacity to invest in global securities on Olagunju’s behalf.
The EFCC said the promise was fraudulent, and the defendant had no such investment capacity.
Ugonna pleaded not guilty. Prosecution counsel Joshua Saidi requested a trial date and urged the court to remand him in custody.
Defence counsel opposed, citing a pending bail application, and asked that his client be kept in EFCC custody instead.
Justice Okpe adjourned the case until Wednesday, September 25, 2025, for hearing of the bail application and ordered Ugonna’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
