21 Foreigners Convicted of Cybercrime in Nigeria
A Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted 21 foreign nationals from countries including China, Indonesia, Brazil, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand for high-level cybercrime. The convicts were fined ₦1 million each and ordered to be deported within six working days of the judgment.
The court’s decision was based on a plea bargain agreement between the convicts and the Nigeria Police Force. Justice Ekerete Akpan, who delivered the judgment, ordered the convicts to pay the fine before their release and forfeit all gadgets used in committing the crimes to the Federal Government.
The convicts were part of a larger group of 109 foreign nationals facing prosecution by the Inspector-General of Police for cybercrime, money laundering, and activities deemed threats to Nigeria’s national security. They were accused of operating a fraudulent and unregistered gaming platform from Plot 1906, Cadastral Zone 807, Katampe District, Abuja.
The charges against the convicts included aiding, abetting, and conspiring to commit cybercrime, unlawful access to a computer network, and input of inauthentic data. They were also accused of laundering proceeds generated from illegal platforms, including (link unavailable), c2.top, and 8pg.top, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The convicts initially pleaded not guilty and were remanded in Kuje and Keffi Correctional Centres, pending fulfilment of stringent bail conditions set on November 29, 2024, which included ₦1 billion bail and five sureties with ₦200 million worth of landed property each.
Justice Akpan adjourned the matter to October 22nd and 23rd for the continuation of the trial of the remaining 88 defendants. The judgment highlights Nigeria’s growing crackdown on cybercrime, especially involving foreign networks operating within the country.
