A Benin City courtroom has delivered verdicts in a high-profile cybercrime case, with five individuals found guilty of internet-related fraud.
The accused—Ayo Korede, Ogbemudia Osaretin, Harry Ehimien, Osasumwen Osahenator, and Efosa Richard—were prosecuted on separate counts involving impersonation, obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime, and possession of fraudulent documents.
Among them, Osaretin was charged with possessing documents on his iPhone 14 Pro Max that contained false pretences, an offense under Sections 6 and 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
All five defendants pleaded guilty to their individual charges. The prosecution counsel moved for convictions and sentencing accordingly. In their defense, counsels appealed for clemency, citing remorse displayed by the accused.
The court, presided over by Justice M. Itsueli, convicted Korede, Osaretin, Osasumwen Osahenator, and Efosa Richard, sentencing each to two years’ imprisonment or the option of a N200,000 fine. Harry Ehimien received a slightly different sentence: two years’ imprisonment or the alternative of a N100,000 fine, or she may carry out community service.
In addition to custodial sentences, the court ordered forfeiture of tools and proceeds of crime, including the convicts’ phones, laptop computers, and balances in their bank accounts.
These convictions stem from a focused sting operation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) Benin Zonal Directorate, following credible intelligence linking the accused to cyber fraud syndicates.
