Justice M. Itsueli of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City on Monday, August 11 convicted and sentenced 15 internet fraudsters to various jail terms
The convicts are Osasere Uyi, Osayande Godstime Edosa, Ewaen Agbonma, Godstime Ehighagwan, Peter Miracle, Ehondor Lucky Etinosa, Ezomo Osamudiamen Desmond, Itobore Divine, Iyase Aisosa, Dominion Idehen, Ejiroghene Theophilus, Destiny Nosakhare, Efosa Imuetintan, Ahmed Aliyui and Samuel Osakpamwan
They were prosecuted on one-count separate charges bordering on obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime and possession of fraudulent documents by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Commission.
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The charge against Godstime Ehighagwan reads: “That you Godstime Ehighagwan (m) on or about the 31st of July, 2025 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did have in your possession, on your iPhone 15 pro Max with IMEI Number 358759859798828, documents which you knew or ought to have known contain a false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 and 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
All the defendants pleaded guilty to their charges when they were read to them, prompting the prosecution counsel, I.K Agwai, K. Y. Bello, A.S.Bala-Ribah and M.S.Dahiru to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that they have become remorseful for their actions.
Justice Itsueli convicted and sentenced Osasere Uyi, Osayande Godstime Edosa, Ewaen Agbonma, Godstime Ehighagwan, Peter Miracle, Ehondor Lucky Etinosa, Ezomo Osamudiamen Desmond, Itobore Divine, Iyase Aisosa, Dominion Idehen, Ejiroghene Theophilus, Destiny Nosakhare, Efosa Imuetintan, Ahmed Aliyui and Samuel Osakpamwan to two years imprisonment or a fine of N200, 000.
All the convicts forfeited their phones, laptops, and balances in their respective bank accounts to the Federal Government of Nigeria as proceeds of crime and undertook in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth.\
The convicts’ journey to the Correctional Centre began following their arrest by operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC through a sting operation owing to their involvement in fraudulent internet activities. They were subsequently charged to court and jailed.
