EFCC Secures Conviction of Four Filipinos, Seven Nigerians Over Internet Fraud, Cyberterrorism (photos)
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Lagos Court Orders Deportation of Foreign Nationals After Sentencing
The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced four Filipino nationals and seven Nigerians to varying prison terms over their involvement in cyberterrorism, identity theft, and internet-related fraud.
Justice Yellim Bogoro delivered the landmark judgment on Friday, following separate charges brought before the court by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
TJ News Nigeria gathered that the prosecution charged the defendants individually, accusing them of committing crimes ranging from cyberterrorism to money laundering, in contravention of Nigeria’s cybercrime and terrorism prevention laws.
Names of Convicted Foreign Nationals and Nigerians
The convicted Filipino nationals are:
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Reyna Mae Eriba
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Chynna Samonte
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Zara Fabian
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Dominique Medina
The Nigerian defendants convicted alongside them include:
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Chidera Ezechukwu
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Favour Oluchukwu
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Egwenum Ifeanyi
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David Okezie
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Gbenga Shittu Solomon
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Ibraheem Olamilekan
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Oghomienor Jotham
Charges Filed: Cyberterrorism, Identity Theft, Money Laundering
According to court documents reviewed during proceedings, each of the defendants faced charges individually relating to:
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Cyberterrorism
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Identity Theft
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Internet Fraud
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Money Laundering
One of the more prominent charges detailed how Chynna Samonte was accused of accessing computer systems to destabilize Nigeria’s economic and social structures. She allegedly recruited Nigerian youths for cybercrime schemes involving identity theft and impersonation, all aimed at financial fraud.
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Her actions contravened:
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Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024)
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Section 2(3)(d) of the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022
Nigerian Convicts Also Linked to Proceeds of Fraud
In another case, Chidera Ezechukwu was charged with retaining over ₦12.75 million in his UBA bank account. The funds were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of an online dating scam.
His offense was prosecuted under:
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Section 14(1)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004 (as amended)
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Punishable under Section 14(2) of the same Act
All eleven defendants pleaded guilty during their respective arraignments.
EFCC Prosecutors Demand Conviction, Forfeitures
Following the guilty pleas, EFCC prosecution counsel—Anita Imo, S.I. Suleiman, H.U. Kofarnaisa, and B.M. Isah—urged the court to convict the defendants, impose appropriate sentences, and order the forfeiture of all recovered assets to the Federal Government.
Sentences Handed Down by the Court
Justice Yellim Bogoro subsequently sentenced:
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Reyna Mae Eriba, Chynna Samonte, Zara Fabian, and Dominique Medina to one year imprisonment each or a fine of ₦1 million each.
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Ordered the Nigeria Immigration Service to deport all four Filipino convicts within seven days of completing their sentences.
Among the Nigerian convicts:
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Gbenga Shittu Solomon was sentenced to one year imprisonment or a ₦700,000 fine.
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Chidera Ezechukwu, Favour Oluchukwu, Egwenum Ifeanyi, David Okezie, Ibraheem Olamilekan, and Oghomienor Jotham each received one year imprisonment or a ₦500,000 fine.
Properties, Vehicles, Gadgets Forfeited to Nigerian Government
Justice Bogoro further ordered that all items recovered from the convicts—including:
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Vehicles
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Communication gadgets
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Funds traced to the fraudulent schemes
—be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria as proceeds of crime.
Crackdown on Cybercrime in Nigeria
This latest conviction forms part of the ongoing nationwide crackdown on cybercrime by the EFCC, aimed at curbing internet fraud and associated financial crimes. The commission has consistently warned Nigerians, particularly the youth, against participating in cybercrime activities, reiterating that those found culpable will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
TJ News Nigeria reports that Friday’s judgment underscores Nigeria’s renewed efforts to strengthen its anti-cybercrime legal framework and enforce international best practices in fighting digital financial crimes.
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