A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, presided by Justice Ekerete Akpan, has convicted 21 foreign nationals over high-level cybercrime, fining each of them one million Naira.
Justice Akpan, while delivering judgment on the plea bargain reached between the convicts and the Nigeria Police Force, ordered their immediate departure from Nigeria within six working days.
The judge ruled that the sentence was based on the agreed terms of the plea 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,” 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.
Salient Times report that the defendants, from countries including China, Indonesia, Brazil, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand, were arraigned in 2024 on a six-count charge.
