Court Jail’s 12 Filipinos for Cyber Terrorism, Internet Scams

A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced 12 Filipino nationals to one year imprisonment each for their involvement in cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.

The court’s decision, delivered on the 24th of may 2025 , marks a significant victory in the fight against cybercrime in Nigeria.

The Filipinos were found guilty of using the internet to commit acts of terrorism and fraud, causing harm to numerous individuals and organizations.

According to court documents, the accused were arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a sting operation conducted in collaboration with international law enforcement agencies.

The operation, which was carried out last month resulted in the seizure of several computers, mobile devices, and other equipment used in the commission of the crimes.

The prosecution, led by Mrs. Rotimi Oyedepo, a seasoned prosecutor with the EFCC, presented overwhelming evidence of the defendants’ involvement in cyber-terrorism and internet fraud, including testimony from victims and expert analysis of digital forensic evidence.

In his judgement, Justice Mohammed liman described the actions of the accused as “reprehensible and destructive,” noting that their activities had caused significant financial and emotional harm to innocent people.

The judge also commended the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies for their efforts in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

The sentence of one year imprisonment each is seen as a deterrent to others who may be involved in similar activities. The court also ordered the forfeiture of all assets and equipment seized from the defendants during the investigation.

This judgement is a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to combat cybercrime, which has become a growing concern in recent years.

The country has been working to strengthen its laws and collaborate with international partners to tackle the menace of cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.

The EFCC has vowed to continue its crackdown on cybercrime, and this sentence is expected to serve as a warning to others who may be involved in such activities.

The agency has also called on members of the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.