An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has sentenced 10 young men to two years in prison each for engaging in internet fraud, with an option of a ₦200,000 fine apiece.

Justice Mary Itsueli delivered the ruling after the convicts were arraigned on separate one-count charges ranging from impersonation and obtaining by false pretence, to advance fee fraud, unlawful retention of crime proceeds, and possession of fraudulent documents.

Those convicted are Okoro Emmanuel, Billwise Dikoru, Enoma Osasumwen, Samson Festus, Godspower Afolorunikon, Omonle Damien, Sunday Uanseoje, Sylvester Udu, Ani Chucks, and Amilegbe Saviour.

According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges. The prosecuting counsel, K. Y. Bello and Isa Agwai, urged the court to convict them in line with the law, citing that the offences contravened Sections 6 and 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and are punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

The defence, however, pleaded for leniency, stressing that the defendants had shown remorse for their actions.

In its judgment, the court ordered the forfeiture of the convicts’ mobile phones, laptops, and other devices used in committing the crimes. Additionally, funds traced to their bank accounts, identified as proceeds of fraud, were ordered to be forfeited to the Federal Government.