By Atoyebi Nike
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction and sentencing of 15 foreign nationals, including 11 Filipinos, two Chinese, one Malaysian, and one Indonesian, over charges of cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
The convictions were secured before Justices Yellim Bogoro and A.O. Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, following the defendants’ arraignment on Friday, May 30, 2025.
The convicted individuals include 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).
They faced separate charges related to the possession of fraudulent documents and malicious use of computer systems intended to destabilize Nigeria’s economic and social structure.
One of the charges alleged that De Jesus and Genting International Co. Ltd accessed computer systems to recruit Nigerian youths for identity theft, posing as foreign nationals for financial gain. This act, according to the EFCC, violated Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024) and Section 2(3)(d) of the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022.
All defendants pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them.
Prosecution counsel N.K. Ukoha, T.J. Banjo, and N.C. Mutfwang urged the court to convict the defendants in line with their pleas. The judges sentenced each convict to one year imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₦1,000,000.
The court also directed the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service to repatriate the convicts to their respective countries within seven days after completing their sentences. Additionally, all devices recovered from the convicts were ordered to be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
