Court convicts 21 foreign hackers in Abuja, fines each N1m

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted 21 foreign nationals for cybercrime and ordered each of them to pay a fine of N1 million.

Justice Ekerete Akpan delivered the ruling following a plea bargain agreement between the convicts and the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), which is prosecuting the case.

The 21 foreigners are among 109 defendants currently being prosecuted by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) for alleged high-level cybercrime, money laundering, and activities deemed a threat to national security.

In his judgment, Justice Akpan also ordered the convicted individuals to leave Nigeria within six days and ruled that all electronic devices used in committing the crimes be forfeited to the Federal Government.

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The convicted defendants include Yang Yang (M), Li Xiao Fen (M), Zheng Peng Zhan (M), Shu Huan (M), Jupanpan (M), Feng Guo (M), Zhao Yifan (M), Mahunan (M), Wang Yi Bo (M), Chen Yan Qi (M), and Shi Hao Jie (M), all represented in court by Linda Ikpeazu.

Julius Mba represented the remaining convicts: Xiejang Bing (M), Zheng Jian Feng (M), Zheng Peng Fei (M), Wei Tang (M), Wang Hao (M), Cheng Xing (M), Yang Xu Gung (M), Zhu Jiu Hui (M), Xhou Kia Lai (M), and Tue Xue Fie (F).

The judge ruled:
“Having entered into the plea bargain voluntarily, I hereby convict you as charged.”

Justice Akpan confirmed that the sentence aligns with the plea bargain terms, requiring each convict to pay a N1 million fine before their release.

“They shall depart the country within six working days,” the judge declared.

When asked if the convicts had paid the fines, defence counsel Linda Ikpeazu replied, “My Lord, we are going to pay in the next five minutes.”

Justice Akpan then adjourned the trial of the remaining 88 defendants to October 22 and 23, 2025.

The IGP had earlier arraigned the 109 foreign nationals in charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/599/2024 on six counts, including cybercrime, money laundering, and unlawful residency. The defendants, who are nationals of China, Indonesia, Brazil, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand, pleaded not guilty and were initially remanded in correctional centres.

On November 29, 2024, the court granted each of them bail in the sum of N1 billion, with five sureties who each must own property worth at least N200 million. The sureties were required to deposit original and verified property documents with the court’s deputy registrar and submit their international passports.

Male defendants were remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre, while female defendants were held at Keffi Correctional Centre in Nasarawa State, pending fulfilment of bail conditions.

The suspects were arrested in 2024 at their residence in Plot 1906, Cadastral Zone 807, Katampe District, Abuja, where they were allegedly running a fraudulent and unregistered gaming platform used for cybercrime.

The six-count charge includes cybercrime, money laundering, and unlawful residency in Nigeria.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE