Lagos court convicts four Filipinos, eight Nigerians for internet fraud, cyber-terrorism
In a landmark ruling, Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced twelve individuals—four Filipino nationals and eight Nigerians—for their involvement in cyber-terrorism and internet fraud activities.
The Filipino convicts, Reyna Mae Eriba, Chyna Samonte, Zara Fabian, and Dominique Medina, were among 729 suspects detained during a major raid on Oyin Jolayemi Street in Lagos in December 2024, which targeted a sophisticated ponzi scheme linked to cyber-terrorism.
The Nigerian defendants include Chidera Ezechukwu, Favour Oluchukwu, Egwenum Ifeanyi, David Okezie, Gbenga Shittu Solomon, Ibraheem Olamilekan, Chinecherem Michael, and Oghomienor Jotham. They were charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with offenses related to cyber-terrorism, internet fraud, and money laundering.
During the trial, EFCC prosecutor Anita Imo highlighted that Chyna Samonte deliberately accessed computer systems to undermine Nigeria’s economic structure and exploit young Nigerians through identity theft schemes. The prosecution revealed that millions of naira in illicit funds were traced to various bank accounts linked to the operations, notably a sum of N12,750,318.63 found in the account of Nigerian convict Chidera Ezechukwu.
The crimes were found to violate multiple provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act and other related legislation. All twelve defendants pleaded guilty to the charges against them.
Justice Bogoro sentenced each of the four Filipinos to one year in prison, with the option of a fine of N1 million. He also ordered the Nigerian Immigration Service to repatriate the Filipino convicts to the Philippines upon completion of their sentences.
Other Nigerian defendants received similar sentences, and the judge mandated the forfeiture of all items recovered from the convicts to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Source: PUNCH
