By Samuel Adeola
Two Federal High Courts in Lagos, presided over by Justice Yellim Bogoro and Justice Alexander Owoeye, on Friday sentenced 15 foreign nationals to one year in prison each for cyberterrorism and internet-related crimes.
The convicts include 11 Filipinos, two Chinese, one Malaysian, and one Indonesian. They are: Winnie De Jesus, Kayceelynn Remorin, Irish Chna, Darwisa Esmael, Kimberly Nisperos, Savien Cire Renovilla, Jessa Sanchi, Jhena Sarmiento, Rain Torida, Rex Jose Dilag (aka Madison), Beverlyin Gumayo (aka Veb Sumayo), Zeng Zerong, Guo Bin, Tan Soon Kar, and Fernando Fu Fang.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), arraigned them on charges of possessing fraudulent documents and engaging in cybercrimes committed in Lagos in December 2024.
According to the EFCC, Winnie De Jesus and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd, illegally accessed computer systems to destabilise Nigeria’s economy and recruited Nigerian youths for identity theft.
Kayceelynn Remorin was also linked to similar schemes and was found to have impersonated a person named Anastacia Lim for financial gain.
Their actions were found to be in violation of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act and the Terrorism (Prevention) Act. All 15 defendants entered plea bargains and pleaded guilty.
Both courts sentenced them to one year imprisonment with an option of a ₦1 million fine.
The judges also ordered the Nigeria Immigration Service to deport all convicts within seven days of completing their sentences.
Additionally, all devices recovered from them were forfeited to the Federal Government.
This latest judgment brings the number of convicted foreigners in connection with the case to 33.
Just last week, Justice Bogoro and Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke had sentenced 18 others arrested during the EFCC’s “Eagle Flush Operation” in December 2024.
The operation took place at a seven-storey building known as the Big Leaf Building on Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
In total, 193 foreign nationals and 792 other suspects were arrested during the coordinated crackdown on global cybercrime, cryptocurrency fraud, romance scams, and money laundering networks.