LAGOS, Nigeria — Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Lagos sentenced four Filipino nationals and eight Nigerians to one year in prison on Friday for cyber-terrorism, internet fraud, and money laundering.
The convicted Filipinos — Reyna Mae Eriba, Chyna Samonte, Zara Fabian, and Dominique Medina — were among 729 suspects arrested during a December 2024 raid on Oyin Jolayemi Street, Lagos. The group was implicated in a sophisticated Ponzi scheme and cyber-terrorism operation.
The Nigerian convicts include Chidera Ezechukwu, Favour Oluchukwu, Egwenum Ifeanyi, David Okezie, Gbenga Shittu Solomon, Ibraheem Olamilekan, Chinecherem Michael, and Oghomienor Jotham.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged them with offences contravening the Cybercrimes Act 2015 (amended 2024), the Terrorism Prevention Act 2022, and the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2004 (amended). All twelve pleaded guilty.
Prosecution counsel Anita Imo detailed how Chyna Samonte exploited young Nigerians in identity theft and fraud schemes aimed at impersonating foreign nationals to defraud victims. The EFCC traced illegal proceeds amounting to over N12.7 million in a UBA bank account belonging to Nigerian convict Chidera Praise Ezechukwu, linked to online dating scams.
Justice Bogoro sentenced each Filipino convict to one year imprisonment or a N1 million fine. Nigerian convicts received one-year sentences or fines ranging from N500,000 to N700,000.
The judge ordered the forfeiture of all recovered assets, including vehicles, devices, and funds, to the Federal Government. He also directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to repatriate the Filipino convicts within seven days of their prison terms’ completion.
