EFCC Secures Conviction of 11 for Cyberterrorism and Internet Fraud in Landmark Lagos Ruling

In a significant stride against digital crime in Nigeria, the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of four Filipino nationals and seven Nigerians for their involvement in cyberterrorism and internet fraud. The ruling, delivered on June 13, 2025, by Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, marks a major victory in the country’s intensifying war against cybercrime.

This high-profile judgment comes amid broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s cybersecurity framework and reflects the impact of recently amended legislation targeting digital offences.

International Cybercrime Syndicate Busted

The convicted Filipinos—Reyna Mae Eriba, Chyna Samonte, Zara Fabian, and Dominique Medina—and Nigerians—Chidera Ezechukwu, Favour Oluchukwu, Egwenum Ifeanyi, David Okezie, Gbenga Shittu Solomon, Ibraheem Olamilekan, and Oghomienor Jotham—were charged with a range of offences under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended 2024) and the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Their crimes included identity theft, online romance scams, and more critically, activities deemed to destabilise Nigeria’s economic and social infrastructure—crimes that fall under the broader definition of cyberterrorism.

Among the more notable cases, Chyna Samonte was charged with wilfully accessing computer systems in December 2024 to recruit Nigerian youths into identity theft schemes. These individuals posed as foreigners in order to defraud victims across the globe, violating Section 18 of the Cybercrimes Act and Section 2(3)(d) of the Terrorism Act.

Similarly, Chidera Ezechukwu was prosecuted for retaining ₦12.75 million, proceeds of an online dating scam, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004. All 11 defendants pleaded guilty, leading to swift sentencing by the court.

Sentences and Penalties Handed Down

Justice Bogoro delivered varying sentences based on the severity of the individual offences:

• The four Filipino nationals were each sentenced to one year in prison or ordered to pay a ₦1 million fine. The court further directed the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to deport them to the Philippines within seven days of completing their sentences.

• Of the Nigerian convicts, Gbenga Shittu Solomon received a sentence of one year in prison or a ₦700,000 fine, while the remaining six were each sentenced to one year in jail or a ₦500,000 fine.

Additionally, all items recovered during the investigation—including vehicles, digital devices, and cash—were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Crackdown on Transnational Cybercrime

In an official statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) via @officialEFCC, the Commission described the syndicate as a transnational cybercrime network operating out of Lagos. The operation was said to involve advanced social engineering techniques targeting victims worldwide.

This ruling comes on the heels of several recent EFCC wins, including the June 6 conviction of nine Chinese nationals for related cybercrimes and the May 2025 sentencing of Orizowe Omogbor Anointing, Lawal Olaitan, and Tella Damilola Adebayo, who were found guilty of impersonating American citizens in digital fraud schemes.

The success is partly attributed to reforms under the Cybercrimes Act (2024 Amendment), which strengthened penalties and empowered the EFCC with sharper legal tools to prosecute digital criminals.

A Critical Step in Cybersecurity Enforcement

The latest convictions also coincide with a major development in Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and cybersecurity space—the lifting of Nigeria’s suspension from the Egmont Group, a global network of Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs). This reinstatement affirms Nigeria’s commitment to international cooperation in financial crime prevention.

According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), internet fraud costs the Nigerian economy billions of naira annually. As more financial and social activities shift online, cybercrime presents not just economic risks but also threats to national security.

Judiciary and Law Enforcement in Sync

Justice Bogoro’s decision underscores the judiciary’s evolving role in combatting modern crime. By handing down strong yet legally proportionate sentences and emphasizing restitution and deportation, the court signals that Nigeria will not tolerate digital crime, whether homegrown or imported.

What’s Next?

The EFCC is expected to continue investigating related cybercrime networks and enforcing the amended legislation. With this case setting a precedent, authorities hope it will serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders, both domestic and international.

As Nigeria faces increasingly complex cybersecurity challenges, this ruling reaffirms the importance of a strong judicial system, effective law enforcement, and international collaboration. For the EFCC, it’s another milestone in a long and ongoing battle to secure Nigeria’s digital future.

Conclusion:
The conviction of four Filipinos and seven Nigerians for cyberterrorism and internet fraud is more than a courtroom win—it’s a message. Nigeria is ramping up its fight against cybercrime, and with continued vigilance, cooperation, and innovation, the country is poised to reclaim control of its digital space.