Justice M. Itsueli of Edo State High Court, sitting in Benin City has convicted and jailed six internet fraudsters.
The convicts are, Idemudia Destiny, Osifo Destiny, Nomanidobo Favour, Dauda Ahmed, David Samuel and Wisdom John.
They were prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on separate one-count charges, bordering on impersonation, obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime and possession of fraudulent documents.
The charge against Idemudia Destiny reads: “That you Idemudia Destiny (m) on or about the 1st of August, 2025, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did have in your possession, on your iPhone 16 Plus, with IMEI Number 355648184280359, 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.”
They all pleaded “guilty,” following which the prosecution counsel, K. Y. Bello prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly, while the defence counsel pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that they have become remorseful for their actions.
Justice Itsueli convicted and sentenced all to two years imprisonment or to pay N200, 000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) fine, respectively.
All the convicts forfeited their phones, laptop computers and money in their bank accounts, being the tools and proceeds of their crimes, respectively to the federal government. They also undertook in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth.
The convicts were arrested and prosecuted by operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, following credible intelligence that exposed their fraudulent internet activities.
