Thirteen individuals convicted of cybercrime were sentenced to various jail terms by Justices W.L. Aziegbemhin and A.N. Erhabor of the Edo State High Court in Benin City between November 11 and 14.
The convicts include Evbayakha Daniel, Goodness Esiuke, Joshua Edobor, Omorodion Bright, Afisi Nurudeen, Oviabor Aisosa Wellington, and Evbayekha Desmond. Others are Nosakhare Evbuomwan, Osemwengie Miracle, Osawe Kluvert, Wisdom Adolor, Onyebuchi Goodness, and Promise Omoru.
They were charged with offenses ranging from obtaining by false pretenses, retention of proceeds of crime, and possession of fraudulent documents. The cases were prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
One of the charges against Evbayakha Daniel stated: “That you, Daniel (m), on or about the 30th of October, 2024, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known contained false pretenses, thereby committing an offense contrary to Sections 6 and 8(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offenses Act 2006, punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
All the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges. The prosecution team, led by F.A. Jirbo, K.Y. Bello, Isa K. Agwai, and Salihu Ahmed, urged the court to convict and sentence them. Meanwhile, defense counsel pleaded for leniency, citing the defendants’ remorse.
Justice Erhabor, on November 11, sentenced Evbayakha Daniel, Goodness Esiuke, Joshua Edobor, Omorodion Bright, and Afisi Nurudeen to two years imprisonment or a fine of ₦200,000 each. On November 13, Justice Aziegbemhin sentenced Oviabor Aisosa Wellington and Evbayekha Desmond to three years imprisonment or a fine of ₦200,000. On November 14, Justice Aziegbemhin sentenced Nosakhare Evbuomwan, Osemwengie Miracle, Osawe Kluvert, and Promise Omoru to two years imprisonment or a fine of ₦200,000 each, while Wisdom Adolor and Onyebuchi Goodness received three years imprisonment or a fine of ₦200,000.
Additionally, the convicts forfeited their phones, laptops, and bank account balances to the Federal Government of Nigeria as proceeds of crime. They were also required to provide written undertakings to maintain good behavior going forward.
Their arrests followed a sting operation by EFCC operatives in response to their involvement in fraudulent internet activities.
