A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced 15 foreign nationals—11 Filipinos, two Chinese, one Malaysian, and one Indonesian—to one year in prison each for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
Justice Yellin Bogoro and Justice Alexander Owoeye handed down the sentences on Friday after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought charges related to the possession of fraudulent documents and online destabilization schemes.
Among those convicted were 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 found that they had recruited Nigerian youths to impersonate foreign nationals and perpetrate identity theft, with the intent to disrupt Nigeria’s social and economic infrastructure.
Each defendant had pleaded guilty, prompting the prosecution to request conviction under a plea bargain agreement. In addition to imprisonment, each convict was fined ₦1 million.
The judges also ordered the Nigeria Immigration Service to repatriate the offenders within seven days of completing their sentences.
