The defendants were separately arraingned on one count charge bordering on retention of proceeds of crime and unlawful possession of fraudulent documents by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The charge against Osamwonyi reads: “that you, Osamwonyi Terry Holy (m). sometime between 4th February, 2022 and July 2022 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did retain the aggregate sum of N5, 981,780:69 knowing that same represent proceeds of your criminal conduct to wit: Cybercrime and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(1) of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004 and punishable under section 18(2) of the same Act”.

Upon arraignment the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges prompting the prosecution counsel, Francis Jirbo, K. Y. Bello, Abdulazeez Bala-Ribah, Ibrahim Faisal and Salihu Ahmed to request the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. However, counsel to the defendants pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as they were first time offenders who have become remorseful for their actions.

Justice Itsueli convicted and sentenced Osamwonyi, Efetobore, Clement, Sylvanus, Oluwaferanmi, Orovwigho, Oyeide, Daniel, Christian, Ebushi, Michael and Happy Daniel to three years imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira fine. Ndudi was sent to three years with an option of 0ne Hundred Thousand Naira fine.

Barnabas bagged three years imprisonment or a fine of three hundred thousand naira while Oghenemarho was sent to two years imprisonment or a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira fine.

The court also ordered that items recovered from the defendants including a Mercedes-Benz car and phones being proceeds of crime be forfeited to the Federal Government and their bank accounts closed.