Three individuals identified as Efosa Richard, Victor Nwachukwu, and Ekaye Emaike have been convicted and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment each for internet fraud.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the trio were jailed by Justice M. Itsueli of the Edo State High Court, sitting in Benin City, on Thursday, August 21, 2025.
EFCC disclosed that they were prosecuted by its Benin Zonal Directorate 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, 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”, prompting prosecution counsel, I.M. Elodi and K. Y. Bello to pray the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
However, the defence counsel pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, stating that they had become remorseful for their actions.
Consequently, Justice Itsueli convicted and sentenced them to two years’ imprisonment each, or to pay a fine of ₦200,000 respectively.
The Commission revealed that all the convicts forfeited their mobile phones and laptops, being the tools of their crimes as well as the money found in their respective bank accounts, being the proceeds of their crimes to the Federal Government. Similarly, they undertook in writing to be of good behaviour henceforth.
It reiterated that the trio’s journey to jail began with their arrest by operatives of its Benin Zonal Directorate, following credible intelligence that exposed their involvement in fraudulent internet activities.
