Federal High Court in Abuja, under the presiding judge Justice Ekerete Akpan, has found 21 foreign nationals guilty of high-level cybercrime.
Gatekeepers News reports that each individual has been fined one million Naira.
The ruling follows a plea bargain agreement made between the defendants and the Nigeria Police Force. In addition to the financial penalty, Justice Akpan has mandated that the convicts must leave Nigeria within six working days.
“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 N1 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.
He also directed 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.
