A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, sentenced twelve Filipino nationals to one year imprisonment each for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.

Justice Yellin Bogoro handed down the sentences after the convicts pleaded guilty to a series of cyber-related offences, including possession of fraudulent documents and using online platforms to carry out large-scale identity theft.

According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the convicts were part of a network that employed Nigerian youths to impersonate foreign nationals online, primarily for financial gain. Prosecutors revealed the group’s activities were designed not only to defraud but also to destabilize Nigeria’s socio-economic structure,a violation under the newly amended Cybercrimes Act of 2024 and the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2022.

Those convicted include Anjeanette Topacio, Gladys Joy Mag-Iba, Jean Calago, Shairah Mae Reyes, Roseann Gonzales, Lari Jane Tayag, Mary Grace De La Cruz, Krystel Aquilesca, Jonilyn Agulto, Paizza Camara, Vivian Pionella, and Jonalyn Mendoza.

The EFCC\'s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 arraigned the suspects on separate charges, each tied to digital evidence. One such charge detailed how a defendant used Telegram to impersonate a British woman in a romance scam,an offence under Nigeria’s Advance Fee Fraud Act.

Another defendant, Anjeanette Topacio, was accused of orchestrating cyberattacks by enabling access to computer systems meant to disrupt Nigeria’s economic systems.

Following their guilty pleas, prosecution counsels N.K. Ukoha and H.U. Kofarnaisa urged the court to convict the defendants based on the plea bargain agreement with the EFCC. Justice Bogoro sentenced each defendant to one year in prison and imposed a fine of N1,000,000 (One Million Naira) per person.

Justice Bogoro also directed the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Mrs. Kemi Nanna Nandap, to ensure that all twelve convicts are deported to the Philippines within seven days after completing their jail terms.

Items recovered from the cybercriminals were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.