Edo Court Convicts Nine For Cybercrime, Orders Forfeiture Of Assets

Edo Court Convicts Nine For Cybercrime, Orders Forfeiture Of Assets

The Edo State High Court in Benin City has convicted and sentenced nine individuals for cybercrime-related offenses, including obtaining by false pretence, possession of fraudulent documents, and retention of proceeds of crime.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Benin Zonal Directorate, disclosed in a statement on Friday that the convictions were secured between March 27 and April 11, 2025, before Justice A.N. Erhabor…READ MORE…

The convicted individuals are: Desmond Aghanenu, Okolie Bright, Emeka Matthew, Anikwushe Calin, Precious Onyeka Okonkwo, Ojie Victor Emeka, Safety Tamarakuro Austin, Promise Osas Lucky, and Ebi Ferguson.

Eight of the convicts received two-year prison sentences with an option of a ₦200,000 fine each. However, Ebi Ferguson was handed a three-year prison term, also with the option of paying the same fine.

According to the EFCC, the suspects were arrested in a sting operation based on credible intelligence linking them to fraudulent online schemes. Upon arraignment, each defendant pleaded guilty to the one-count charge preferred against them.

In one instance, Desmond Aghanenu was charged with knowingly possessing fraudulent documents—an offence under Sections 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 law.

Prosecution counsel, including F.A. Jirbo, I.M. Elodi, Isa K. Agwai, and Bala-Ribah, urged the court to convict the defendants in accordance with their pleas. Defence lawyers, meanwhile, pleaded for leniency, noting the remorse expressed by the accused and their willingness to reform.

Justice Erhabor subsequently convicted all nine defendants. In addition to their sentences, the court ordered the forfeiture of all items recovered from them, including mobile phones, laptops, and funds in linked bank accounts, to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Each individual was also mandated to sign a written undertaking pledging good conduct going forward.

“Their conviction followed their arrest during a targeted operation by operatives of the EFCC’s Benin Zonal Office, acting on intelligence implicating them in internet fraud,” the statement noted.

The EFCC reaffirmed its commitment to combating cybercrime and financial offences, urging Nigerian youths to embrace honest and productive means of livelihood.