Justice Yellin Bogoro and Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Lagos, on Friday, sentenced 15 foreigners to one year imprisonment each for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud. The convicted individuals include 11 Filipinos, two Chinese nationals, one Malaysian, and one Indonesian.
The accused 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 (also known as Madison), Tan Soon Kar, Fernando Fu Fang, and Beverlyin Gumayo (also known as Veb Sumayo).
They were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on separate charges, which included possession of fraudulent documents and cyber-related offenses.
One charge against Winnie De Jesus stated that in December 2024, in Lagos, she was involved in accessing computer systems with the goal to seriously destabilize Nigeria’s economic and social structures.
She was accused of employing Nigerian youths to commit identity theft and pose as foreign nationals to gain financial benefits. This offense violates Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (amended 2024), and Section 2(3)(d) of the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Similarly, Kayceelynn Remorin faced charges related to organizing cyber attacks aimed at destabilizing the country’s economy by recruiting Nigerian youths for identity theft. Another charge against Remorin involved fraudulently impersonating a person named Anastacia Lim to gain financial advantage, violating sections of the Cybercrimes Act.
All the defendants pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them. Following their pleas, prosecution lawyers N.K. Ukoha, T.J. Banjo, and N.C. Mutfwang asked the court to convict them in line with a plea bargain agreement made with the EFCC.
The judges sentenced each foreigner to one year in prison and imposed a fine of one million Naira. They also directed the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to ensure that the convicts are repatriated to their respective countries within seven days after serving their sentences.
