Following the fight against cybercrime in the country, EFCC has successfully secured the Conviction Of 34 Internet Fraudsters, better known as Yahoo Boys in Edo

Naijaonpoint Media gathered that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully secured the conviction and sentencing of 34 internet fraudsters before Justices A.N. Erhabor and W.I. Aziegbemhin at the Edo State High Court in Benin City.

The Benin Zonal Directorate arraigned the convicted individuals on separate one-count charges related to obtaining by false pretence, retention of proceeds of crime, and possession of fraudulent documents — all violations of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act 2006.

Full List / Names of the Convicts

Ogbeide Osayande Bright,
George Michael,
Asazobro Kindness,
Asamonye Davis Chibudion,
Efosa Imasuen,
Fortune Innocent,
Owah Eloho,
Osifo Bright,
Oselunosen Ojeh Oziegbe,
Igbinogie Esemude Eloghosa,
Abijade Jeffery,
Godwin Osayowanbor,
Okon Bassey Benjamin,
Owie Success Etinosa,
Emmanuel Chinedu Ariwa,
Ogbonna Precious,
Agboniroho Promise,
Ogbonna Michael,
Sunday Onyekachi,
Igbinogie Esenuede Amos,
Favour Abdul,
Efe Louis Ediyeri,
Benson Odion Kelly,
Benson Ovbokhan Kelly,
Oliver Collins Chijoke,
Odia Aisosa,
Arinze Michael,
Brainson Joseph Bassey,
Paul Eghosa Oreavbiere,
Marvelous Imasuen,
Adams Maxwell Eloghosa,
Omorodion Ayomide,
Owenaze Efe Wealth,
Nathaniel Ihaza.

All the defendants pleaded guilty to their charges.

Prosecution counsel from the EFCC — including F.A. Jirbo, I.M. Elodi, I.K. Agwai, K.Y. Bello, Ibrahim Al-Amin, M.S. Dahiru, Salihu Ahmed, Bala Rabah, and Faisal Ibrahim — urged the court to convict and sentence the fraudsters accordingly. Defence lawyers pleaded for leniency, citing the remorse shown by the convicts.

Justice A.N. Erhabor sentenced 26 of the fraudsters to two years imprisonment each or an alternative fine of ₦200,000.

Similarly, Justice W.I. Aziegbemhin sentenced the remaining eight to two years imprisonment each or the same fine.

In addition to their sentences, all convicts forfeited their mobile phones, laptops, and funds found in their bank accounts to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Each convict also signed a written undertaking to be of good behaviour henceforth.

The convictions followed a sting operation by EFCC operatives in Benin, prompted by credible intelligence linking the individuals to cybercrime activities.

After a thorough investigation, they were charged to court and convicted.