A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced 15 foreign nationals to one year imprisonment each for their involvement in cyber-terrorism and internet-related fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the convicts—11 Filipinos, two Chinese, one Malaysian, and one Indonesian—on multiple counts bordering on possession of fraudulent documents and other cyber offences.
The convicts are: Winnie De Jesus, Kayceelynn Remorin, Irish Chna, Darwisa Esmael, Kimberly Nisperos, Savien Cire Renovilla, Zeng Zerong, Guo Bin, Jessa Sanchi, Jhena Sarmiento, Rain Torida, Rex Jose Dilag (alias Madison), Tan Soon Kar, Fernando Fu Fang, and Beverlyin Gumayo (alias Veb Sumayo).
According to one of the charges, De Jesus and Genting International Co. Ltd were accused of granting unauthorised access to computer systems in December 2024, with the aim of destabilising Nigeria’s economic and social security.
They were also alleged to have recruited Nigerian youths into identity theft schemes for financial gain.
Another count stated that Remorin and the same company engaged in online impersonation schemes using Nigerians as fronts. Specifically, Remorin was said to have impersonated one Anastacia Lim to enrich her employer.
All 15 defendants pleaded guilty to the charges against them.
Following their plea, prosecution counsel N.K. Ukoha, T.J. Banjo, and N.C. Mutfwang urged the court to convict the defendants in line with the plea bargain agreement.
Presiding justices Yellin Bogoro and Alexander Owoeye sentenced each of the convicts to one year in prison and imposed a fine of ₦1 million on each.
The court also ordered the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to deport all the convicts within seven days after they complete their jail terms.
Also, all electronic devices recovered from the criminals were ordered to be forfeited to the Federal Government.
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