Nigeria deports 21 foreign nationals convicted of cybercrime

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has today convicted and fined 21 foreign nationals N1 million each for their involvement in high-level cybercrime activities. The court also ordered their immediate deportation from Nigeria within six working days.

Justice Ekerete Akpan delivered the verdict following a plea bargain agreement between the convicts and the Nigeria Police Force, the prosecuting agency. The 21 individuals, part of a larger group of 109 foreign nationals facing charges, were found guilty of cybercrime, money laundering, and actions threatening Nigeria’s national security. 

The charges were filed under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/599/2024. According to court documents, the defendants conspired to commit cybercrimes, accessed computer networks unlawfully, and laundered proceeds from illegal platforms, including 9f.com, c2.top, and 8pg.top. They also overstayed their 30-day business permits, violating Nigeria’s Immigration Act of 2015.

Justice Akpan, in his judgment, held that the sentence was based on the agreed terms of the bargain.“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,” he said.

Justice Akpan emphasised that the fines and deportation orders were based on the terms of the plea bargain. He also mandated the forfeiture of all gadgets used in the commission of these crimes to the Federal Government. 

The ruling sends a clear message: Nigeria will not tolerate illegal activities that undermine its economic and digital integrity.

The convicted individuals include nationals from China, Indonesia, Brazil, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand. Among them 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).

Others include 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). They were represented in court by lawyers Linda Ikpeazu and Julius Mba.

These criminals were arrested on November 3, 2024, at their residence in Plot 1906, Cadastral Zone 807, Katampe District, Abuja. Authorities alleged they operated a fraudulent and unregistered gaming platform used for cybercriminal activities. The Nigeria Police Force’s National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) and Zone 7 Command led the operation, recovering sophisticated digital equipment, including laptops, smartphones, tablets, routers, and passports.

Charges and violations

The six-count charge against the convicts included serious offences. They were accused of aiding and abetting cybercrime, violating Section 27(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024). 

Additionally, they unlawfully accessed computer networks and inputted inauthentic data, contravening Section 13 of the same Act. The group was also charged with money laundering under Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, for handling proceeds from illegal platforms. Their overstaying of business permits further violates Section 44(1)(c) of the Immigration Act, 2015.

The scale of the operation highlights the growing sophistication of cybercrime syndicates in Nigeria. The use of unregistered platforms to facilitate fraud and money laundering underscores the challenges law enforcement faces in combating transnational cybercrime.

Prior to their convictions, the 109 foreign nationals, including the 21 convicts, were arraigned on November 29, 2024. Justice Akpan granted them bail, set at N1 billion each, with stringent conditions. Each defendant was required to provide five sureties, each owning landed property worth N200 million within Abuja.

Sureties were also mandated to submit original property documents and their passports to the court’s deputy registrar. Male defendants were remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, while female defendants were held at Keffi Correctional Centre in Nasarawa State pending bail fulfilment.

The 34 female foreign nationals among the 109 were later released on December 25, 2024, after meeting their bail conditions. However, the 21 convicts in this ruling either failed to meet bail terms or opted for the plea bargain, leading to their conviction.

Nigeria’s crackdown on cybercrime

This case is part of a broader effort by Nigerian authorities to curb cybercrime, which has surged in recent years. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Police Force have intensified operations targeting both local and foreign perpetrators. 

In a related case, the EFCC secured convictions of 15 foreign nationals in Lagos on May 30, 2025, for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud. Those convicts, including 11 Filipinos, two Chinese, one Malaysian, and one Indonesian, were also fined N1 million each and ordered deported.

Another high-profile operation, dubbed “Eagle Flush”, led to the arrest of 193 foreign nationals and 599 Nigerians in Lagos on December 10, 2024. The EFCC described it as the largest anti-cybercrime operation in its history, targeting a syndicate operating under the guise of Genting International Co. Limited. The group allegedly used over 1,500 laptops and 4,000 phones to perpetrate romance and investment scams targeting victims globally.

These convictions signal Nigeria’s resolve to tackle cybercrime head-on. Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun has reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to leveraging technology to protect Nigeria’s digital space. 

The collaboration with international law enforcement agencies and embassies is expected to strengthen efforts against transnational cybercrime.