FULL LIST: Court Convicts 21 Foreigners for Cybercrime, Orders Deportation

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By Alofe Ayomoses

#NewsAlert report that a Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted 21 foreign nationals for cyber-related offences, following a plea bargain agreement with the Nigeria Police Force.

Presiding judge, Justice Ekerete Akpan, sentenced the convicts on Tuesday, ordering each of them to pay a ₦1 million fine and to leave Nigeria within six working days.

Delivering judgment, Justice Akpan stated:

“After the defendants entered the plea bargain agreement voluntarily, I hereby convict you as charged. The sentence shall be based on the parties’ agreement of ₦1 million fine each, to be paid before their release. They shall depart the country within six working days.”

He also directed that all devices used in perpetrating the crimes be forfeited to the Federal Government.

The convicts are part of 109 foreign nationals charged by the Inspector-General of Police over offences including cybercrime, money laundering, and national security violations.

The 21 convicted individuals hail from China, Indonesia, Brazil, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand. They were first arraigned in 2024 on a six-count charge, which included:

Unlawful access to computer networks

Insertion of inauthentic data (Cybercrimes Act, Section 13)

Money laundering (Money Laundering Act, Section 18)

Overstaying business permits (Immigration Act, Section 44(1)(c))

Initially, the defendants pleaded not guilty and were remanded in Kuje and Keffi Correctional Centres, unable to meet strict bail conditions set on Nov. 29, 2024, which included ₦1 billion bail bonds and five sureties with landed property worth ₦200 million each.

The Police alleged that the group operated an unregistered gaming platform from Plot 1906, Cadastral Zone 807, Katampe District, Abuja.

The convicted persons include:

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), Shi Hao Jie (28)

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, female)

The defence teams were led by Linda Ikpeazu and Julius Mba.

#NewsAlert reports that the case has been adjourned to October 22 and 23, 2025, for the continuation of trial involving the remaining 88 foreign defendants.