A Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday convicted and sentenced 15 foreigners to one year imprisonment each for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud offenses committed in Nigeria.

The convicts include 11 Filipinos, two Chinese, one Malaysian, and one Indonesian national who were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on separate charges related to fraudulent online activities.

Among those sentenced were Winnie De Jesus, Kayceelynn Remorin, Irish Chna, Darwisa Esmael, Kimberly Nisperos, Savien Cire Renovilla, Zeng Zerong, and Guo Bin. Others include Jessa Sanchi, Jhena Sarmiento, Rain Torida, Rex Jose Dilag (aka Madison), Tan Soon Kar, Fernando Fu Fang, and Beverlyin Gumayo (aka Veb Sumayo).

Charges and Guilty Pleas

According to court documents, the foreigners were charged with willfully accessing computer systems organized to seriously destabilize and destroy Nigeria's fundamental economic and social structure. The charges stated that they procured and employed Nigerian youths for identity theft, instructing them to impersonate persons of foreign nationality to gain financial advantages.

One of the defendants, Kayceelyn Remorin, was specifically charged with fraudulently impersonating one 'Anastacia Lim' to gain financial advantage for her employer, an offense contrary to Section 22(2)(b) and 27(1)(a) of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015.

All defendants pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read in court.

Sentencing and Deportation Order

Following their guilty pleas, prosecution counsels N.K. Ukoha, T.J. Banjo, and N.C. Mutfwang requested that the court convict the defendants as charged, in accordance with the plea bargain agreements they had entered into with the EFCC.

Justices Yellin Bogoro and Alexander Owoeye convicted and sentenced each defendant to one year imprisonment with an option of N1 million fine.

Additionally, the judges ordered the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to ensure that the convicts are repatriated to their countries of origin within seven days upon completion of their sentences.

The case highlights Nigeria's ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime and internet fraud operations that often involve international criminal networks operating within the country.