A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced four Filipinos and seven Nigerians for internet fraud and cyberterrorism offenses, handing down prison terms and fines while ordering the deportation of the foreign nationals which was extensively reported by Dailytech
Justice Yellim Bogoro convicted Reyna Mae Eriba, Chyna Samonte, Zara Fabian, and Dominique Medina to one year imprisonment each or payment of a fine of N1,000,000. The court further directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to deport the four Filipinos within seven days after serving their sentences.
The Nigerian convicts, Chidera Ezechukwu, Favour Oluchukwu, Egwenum Ifeanyi, David Okezie, Gbenga Shittu Solomon, Ibraheem Olamilekan, and Oghomienor Jotham, received similar one-year jail terms or fines ranging from N500,000 to N700,000.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted the case, charging the accused under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (amended 2024) and the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022. The charges included identity theft, recruitment of youths for fraudulent activities, and money laundering.
For instance, Chyna Samonte was found guilty of orchestrating schemes that exploited Nigerian youths to impersonate foreigners and commit financial fraud, actions that threatened Nigeria’s economic and social stability.
Justice Bogoro also ordered the forfeiture of all assets recovered from the convicts, including vehicles, communication devices, and funds, to the federal government.
This ruling highlights the intensified efforts of the nation to clamp down on cybercrime, reflecting recent legislative updates that strengthen penalties and enforcement mechanisms against internet fraud and cyberterrorism.
The EFCC continues to lead the fight against cybercrime, aiming to protect the country’s digital and economic infrastructure from growing threats.
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