The Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced 15 foreign nationals to one year in prison each after they admitted to charges of cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
In two separate rulings delivered on Friday, Justices Yellim Bogoro and Alexander Owoeye handed down the sentences to the convicted individuals, who include 11 Filipinos, two Chinese nationals, one Malaysian, and one Indonesian.
Those convicted 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 (aka Madison), Tan Soon Kar, Fernando Fu Fang, and Beverlyin Gumayo (aka Veb Sumayo).
The court directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to repatriate all convicts within seven days after they complete their sentences. In addition, all electronic devices seized during the investigation were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.
This wave of convictions brings the total number of foreigners sentenced so far to 33. Just last week, 18 others were convicted in similar cases by Justices Chukwujekwu Aneke and Yellim Bogoro.
All the defendants initially pleaded not guilty but changed their pleas under a plea bargain with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
They were among 193 foreign suspects arrested during the EFCC’s December 2024 “Eagle Flush Operation,” which targeted a cybercrime syndicate operating out of a seven-storey building known as the Big Leaf Building on Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to the EFCC, a total of 792 suspects were apprehended in connection with an international cybercrime ring involving crypto fraud, money laundering, romance scams, and other internet-based offenses.
