The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has today secured the conviction and sentencing of four Filipinos and seven Nigerians for their involvement in cyberterrorism and internet fraud. The ruling, delivered by Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, marks a significant victory in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against cybercrime, with the convicted individuals facing jail terms or hefty fines.
The convicted Filipinos; Reyna Mae Eriba, Chyna Samonte, Zara Fabian, and Dominique Medina, along with the Nigerians; Chidera Ezechukwu, Favour Oluchukwu, Egwenum Ifeanyi, David Okezie, Gbenga Shittu Solomon, Ibraheem Olamilekan, and Oghomienor Jotham, were prosecuted on separate charges under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended 2024) and the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022. The charges detailed a range of offences, including identity theft, online dating scams, and the destabilisation of Nigeria’s economic and social structures through cyberterrorism.
One notable charge against Chynna Samonte alleged that she wilfully accessed computer systems in December 2024 to employ Nigerian youths for identity theft, posing as foreign nationals to gain financial advantage. This act was deemed contrary to Section 18 of the Cybercrimes Act and Section 2(3)(d) of the Terrorism Act. Similarly, Chidera Ezechukwu was accused of retaining ₦12,750,318.63, proceeds from an online dating scam, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004. All defendants pleaded guilty, paving the way for swift sentencing.
Justice Bogoro imposed varying penalties based on the severity of the offences. The Filipino convicts, Eriba, Samonte, Fabian, and Medina, were each sentenced to one year in prison or ordered to pay a ₦1 million fine. Additionally, the court directed the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to deport them to the Philippines within seven days of completing their sentences.
Among the Nigerians, Gbenga Shittu Solomon received a one-year jail term or a ₦700,000 fine, while the remaining six were sentenced to one year each or a ₦500,000 fine. All items recovered, including cars, communication devices, and money, were ordered forfeited to the federal government.
EFCC secures conviction against cybercriminals.
The EFCC detailed the operation in a post on X @officialEFCC, highlighting the scale of the crackdown, which targeted a transnational cybercrime syndicate operating from Lagos. This syndicate allegedly used advanced social engineering techniques to defraud individuals and institutions globally, a trend also noted in a recent conviction of nine Chinese nationals for similar offences on June 6, 2025.
The Lagos convictions follow a series of EFCC successes in combating internet fraud. In May 2025, the agency secured the conviction of three individuals, Orizowe Omogbor Anointing, Lawal Olaitan, and Tella Damilola Adebayo, for impersonating U.S. citizens. These cases underscore the agency’s focus on dismantling cybercrime networks, often involving international collaboration. The latest ruling reflects Nigeria’s strengthened legal framework, with amendments to the Cybercrimes Act in 2024 enhancing penalties for digital offences.
The EFCC’s proactive stance and recent wins have been praised, particularly for protecting Nigeria’s economic integrity, with the agency recovering significant assets in this case alone.
This crackdown highlights the growing threat of cyberterrorism in Nigeria, where internet fraud has cost the economy billions of naira annually, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission. As digital transactions rise, the EFCC’s efforts to enforce the Cybercrimes Act and collaborate internationally are critical. The agency’s next steps will likely involve further investigations into related networks, with the June 13 convictions serving as a deterrent to potential offenders.
As Nigeria continues to combat cybercrime, the Lagos court’s decision reinforces the judiciary’s role in upholding national security.
The case is a reminder of the intricate challenges posed by globalised crime, with the EFCC’s success offering hope for a safer digital future.
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