Justice Ekerete Akpan of the Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted 21 foreign nationals for their involvement in a sophisticated cybercrime operation, imposing a fine of ₦1 million on each individual. The convictions followed a plea bargain agreement struck between the defendants and the Nigeria Police Force.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Akpan emphasized that the agreement was entered into voluntarily by the convicts, and the court was therefore bound to uphold its terms. He ordered that the ₦1 million fine be paid by each defendant before their release and mandated that all 21 individuals must leave Nigeria within six working days.
“This judgment is based on the terms of the plea bargain. Since the defendants willingly entered the agreement, I hereby convict them as charged,” the judge declared. “Each convict shall pay the agreed sum and exit the country within the stipulated period.”
Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of all electronic devices and equipment used in perpetrating the crimes to the Nigerian government.
The convicted individuals are part of a larger group of 109 foreign nationals currently facing prosecution by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for offenses relating to cybercrime, money laundering, and national security breaches.
The defendants, hailing from countries including China, Indonesia, Brazil, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam, were initially arraigned in 2024 on a six-count charge. They had previously entered a not-guilty plea and were held at Kuje and Keffi Correctional Centres due to stringent bail conditions, which included a ₦1 billion bond and five sureties with ₦200 million worth of property each.
The police revealed that the suspects operated from Plot 1906, Cadastral Zone 807, Katampe District, Abuja, where they were allegedly running an illegal and unregistered online gaming platform. The charges included unauthorized access to computer networks and the insertion of fake data, violations punishable under Section 13 of the Cybercrimes Act.
They were also charged with laundering illicit funds through the unauthorized gaming network, contrary to Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as overstaying their 30-day business visas — a violation under Section 44 (1)(c) of the Immigration Act, 2015.
Among those convicted are Yang Yang, Li Xiao Fen, Zheng Peng Zhan, Shu Huan, and several others, represented in court by counsels Linda Ikpeazu and Julius Mba.
The trial for the remaining 88 foreign nationals is scheduled to continue on October 22 and 23.