Justice Ekerete Akpan of the Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced 21 foreign nationals in connection with cybercrime offences, imposing a fine of one million Naira on each individual.
The convictions followed a plea bargain arrangement negotiated between the defendants and the Nigeria Police Force. In delivering the ruling, Justice Akpan instructed that all convicts must leave the country within six working days. The court clarified that the sentencing terms were consistent with the conditions outlined in the plea agreement.
“After the defendants entered the plea bargain agreement without being forced, I hereby convict you as charged.
“The sentence shall be based on the parties’ agreement of ₦1 million fine each, against each of the defendants, which shall be paid before their release. They shall depart the country within six working days,” the judge held.
Justice Akpan also ordered that all gadgets used in the commission of the crimes be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The 21 convicts are among 109 foreign nationals being prosecuted by the Inspector-General of Police over charges of cybercrime, money laundering, and actions deemed threats to Nigeria’s national security.
The defendants, from countries including China, Indonesia, Brazil, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand, were arraigned in 2024 on a six-count charge.
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They initially pleaded not guilty and were remanded in Kuje and Keffi Correctional Centres, pending fulfillment 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.
The police alleged that the accused operated out of Plot 1906, Cadastral Zone 807, Katampe District, Abuja, where they were running a fraudulent and unregistered gaming platform.
The 21 convicted individuals are Yang Yang (33), Li Xiao Fen (41), Zheng Peng Zhan (28), Shu Huan (20), Jupanpan (25), Feng Guo (29), Zhao Yifan (31), Mahunan (26), Wang Yi Bo (24), Chen Yan Qi (26), and Shi Hao Jie (28), all represented in court by Linda Ikpeazu.
Others are Xiejang Bing (29), Zheng Jian Feng, Zheng Peng Fei (32), Wei Tang (32), Wang Hao (27), Cheng Xing (30), Yang Xu Gung (27), Zhu Jiu Hui (28), Xhou Kia Lai (28), and Tue Xue Fie (21, female), represented by Julius Mba.
The convicted individuals had been facing multiple charges, including unlawful access to computer systems and the manipulation of digital data—offences classified under Section 13 of Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act.
In addition to the cybercrime allegations, they were accused of concealing and moving illicit funds obtained through fraudulent online platforms, in breach of Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Authorities also charged the group with violating immigration laws, having exceeded the 30-day limit on their business visas—an offence under Section 44(1)(c) of the Immigration Act, 2015. The court has scheduled the continuation of proceedings involving the remaining 88 defendants for October 22 and 23.