15 internet fraudsters have been convicted and sentenced to various jail terms between November 18 and 20 by Justice A.N. Erhabor of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City the State capital.

The convicts 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  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

This was contained in a statement on the X handle of the anti-graft agency on Thursday, November 21.

The statement reads in part: "Justice A.N. Erhabor of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City between November 18 and 20 convicted and sentenced 15 internet fraudsters to various jail terms

"The convicts are Egbai Jude, Diamond Aliza, Ugochukwu Chijindu, Oboh Isaac, Olabode Bright, Ngbakor Godstime Oghechi, Agbi Paul, Amadin Samuel and Imade Nelson Ikponwonmwosa.

"Others are Osasenge Eguavoen Daniel, Emeka Ebube, Friday Edosa Elijah, Alfred Stanley Godbless, Ifeanyi Amadi Omote and John Ogheneyole.

"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.

"The charge against Egbai reads: "That you Jude Egbai (m) on or about the 30th of October, 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did have in your possession documents which you knew or ought to have known contained false pretence, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6 and 8 (b) 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, F.A Jirbo, I.M Elodi, K Y. Bello, Isa K. Agwai,  Ibrahim Faisal and Salihu Ahmed 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."