The court ordered the immediate departure of the 21 individuals from Nigeria within six working days.
Justice Ekerete Akpan of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has convicted 21 foreign nationals for cybercrime, ordering them to pay a ₦1 million fine each and leave Nigeria within six working days. The judgment followed a plea bargain agreement between the defendants and the Nigeria Police Force.
“After the defendants entered the plea bargain agreement without being forced, I hereby convict you as charged,” Justice Akpan ruled. “The sentence shall be based on the parties’ agreement of ₦1 million fine each… They shall depart the country within six working days.”
The convicts, from countries including China, Indonesia, Brazil, and Thailand, were part of a 109-person group arrested in 2024 for cybercrime, money laundering, and immigration offences. Justice Akpan also ordered the forfeiture of all gadgets used in the crimes to the Federal Government.
The case resumes October 22 and 23 for the trial of the remaining 88 defendants.