Benin City courts convicted 29 internet fraudsters, signaling Nigeria’s intensified crackdown on cybercrime through coordinated EFCC efforts.
Transitioning swiftly, Justices A.N. Erhabor and W.I. Aziegbemhin delivered verdicts following conclusive evidence presented by prosecutors.
The convicted include Edeyibo Rukewe Hope, Igbafe David, Emakhu Bonfrey, Genesis Ndujifor, Okolosie Godstime, and Chukwu David. Others, like Ebuka Emmanuel, Akhere Akahomhen, Odiniru Emeka Vet, Obiora Mike Kelvin, Stephen Eghosa, and Osagioduwa Samuel Aivihenyor, faced parallel charges.
Lucky Ekhator, Ekechukwu Chima Stanley, Lucky Moses, David Odiniru, Christopher Alex, and Orovirie Sunny admitted guilt during hearings, acknowledging their roles. Additional sentences targeted Abraham Ifeanyi, Aisosa Vincent, Agbede Shola Harrison, Endurance Ebalukpe, Igbiniken Osarvmwense, and Okonoboh Senator Odiegie.
Finally, Joseph Imhangbegbe, Orion Aigbona, Godstime Adebor, Ambrose Otsemeuno, and Mattew Obayuywana received matching penalties, closing the high-profile case.
Prosecutors charged the defendants with fraud, document forgery, and retaining illicit gains, to which all pleaded guilty promptly. Justice Erhabor sentenced 18 convicts to two years’ imprisonment or N200,000 fines, while Justice Aziegbemhin ruled on others.
Nine individuals received identical prison terms but faced steeper N400,000 fines, emphasizing financial accountability for criminal actions. Authorities confiscated a red Mercedes Benz from convict Odiniru Emeka Vet, declaring it proceeds of crime for government ownership.
Furthermore, courts forfeited all seized devices, cash, and vehicles, stripping convicts of assets tied to fraudulent activities. Each convict also signed behavioral pledges, vowing reform—a measure critics argue lacks enforcement without sustained monitoring.
EFCC operatives arrested the group after verifying intelligence about their online scams, culminating in swift trials and convictions.
Prosecution lawyers F.A. Jirbo and colleagues secured convictions despite defense appeals for leniency, as judges stressed societal accountability.
Meanwhile, the EFCC reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance, urging youths to pursue lawful ventures instead of exploiting vulnerable victims digitally.
Communities welcomed the verdicts, though debates persist about addressing root causes like unemployment driving cybercrime.
Public discourse remains divided, with some praising the sentences’ deterrent effect and others highlighting potential judicial overcrowding challenges.
Nonetheless, the rulings underscore Nigeria’s evolving legal rigor against economic sabotage, fostering cautious optimism nationwide.
This landmark case reinforces Nigeria’s judicial resolve to dismantle economic crimes, restoring public trust in legal institutions progressively.
As anti-corruption efforts gain momentum, stakeholders urge complementary educational campaigns to steer youth toward ethical opportunities sustainably.
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