…the court ordered that all electronic gadgets used in the commission of the crimes be forfeited.
ABUJA, NIGERIA- iNews Times| A Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Ekerete Akpan, has convicted 21 foreign nationals for involvement in sophisticated cybercrime activities. Each of the convicts was fined ₦1 million and ordered to leave Nigeria within six working days.
The judgment followed a plea bargain agreement reached between the convicts and the Nigeria Police Force. Justice Akpan, while delivering his ruling, affirmed that the plea agreement was entered voluntarily, stating:
“Having considered the agreed terms, I hereby convict each defendant accordingly. They are fined ₦1 million each, to be paid prior to their release, and must exit the country within six working days.”
In addition, the court ordered that all electronic gadgets used in the commission of the crimes be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The 21 convicts, from countries such as China, Indonesia, Brazil, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand, are part of a larger group of 109 foreign nationals currently facing prosecution by the Inspector-General of Police on allegations of cybercrime, money laundering, and other offenses posing threats to Nigeria’s national security. They were initially arraigned in 2024 on a six-count charge.
