Benin court jails three for Internet fraud

Justice M. Itsueli of Edo State High Court, sitting in Benin City, convicted and jailed the trio of Efosa Richard, Victor Nwachukwu, and Ekaye Emaike for internet fraud. This occurred on Thursday, August 21, 2025.

They were prosecuted by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on separate one-count charges, bordering on advance fee fraud, obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime and possession of fraudulent documents.

The charge against Richard reads: “That you Efosa Richard (m) on or about the 1st of August, 2025, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did have in your iPhone 16, with IMEI Number 35776226117235. You had documents which you knew or ought to have known contained a false pretence. This act committed an offence contrary to Section 6 and 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006. It is punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

They all pleaded “guilty,” prompting prosecution counsel, I.M. Elodi and K. Y. Bello to pray 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 them to two years imprisonment, each, or to pay N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) fine, respectively.

All the convicts forfeited their mobile phones and laptop computers, being the tools of their crimes, as well as money found in their respective bank accounts, being the proceeds of their crimes, to the federal government and further undertook in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth.

Their journey to jail began with their arrest by operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, following credible intelligence that exposed their involvement in fraudulent internet activities.