On Friday, June 13, 2025, the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos State, handed down jail sentences to twelve individuals: four foreign nationals and eight Nigerians for their involvement in a transnational cybercrime syndicate.
The sentencing marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to combat digital financial crimes.
The four foreign convicts are Reyna Mae Eriba, Chyna Samonte, Zara Fabian, and Dominique Medina, all citizens of the Philippines. They were arrested during a large-scale raid conducted in December 2024.
The raid targeted a suspected cybercrime hub located on Oyin Jolayemi Street in Lagos and formed part of a broader crackdown on cybercriminal activity.
These individuals were among the 729 suspects apprehended during what authorities described as a coordinated offensive against a network involved in Ponzi schemes and cyber-terrorism operations both within Nigeria and internationally.
The court proceedings were overseen by Justice Yellim Bogoro, who found the accused guilty of several cyber-related crimes.
The convictions included charges of cyber-terrorism, internet fraud, and money laundering.
According to the court, the evidence presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) substantiated the allegations beyond reasonable doubt. This verdict represents a major legal victory for Nigeria’s judiciary and enforcement agencies.
The eight Nigerian convicts were identified as Chidera Ezechukwu, Favour Oluchukwu, Egwenum Ifeanyi, David Okezie, Gbenga Shittu Solomon, Ibraheem Olamilekan, Chinecherem Michael, and Oghomienor Jotham.
All twelve defendants were arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC and pleaded guilty to the respective charges.
Among the specific charges, Filipino national Chyna Samonte was accused of unlawfully accessing computer systems to recruit Nigerian youths for identity theft schemes disguised as foreign employment, a violation of Nigeria’s amended Cybercrimes Act (2015) and the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Additionally, Nigerian defendant Chidera Ezechukwu was found to have retained ₦12.75 million in a personal account, funds suspected to be linked to an online romance scam.
Justice Bogoro approved the EFCC’s request that all recovered assets including cash, vehicles, laptops, and mobile phones be forfeited to the federal government.
The four Filipino nationals were sentenced to one year in prison and fined ₦1 million each, with a directive for deportation by the Nigeria Immigration Service within seven days of completing their sentences.
The eight Nigerian convicts received one-year jail terms with the option of a ₦500,000 fine each.
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