In one of Nigeria’s largest cybercrime crackdowns, the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos State, has convicted and sentenced 18 foreign nationals—15 Chinese, two Filipinos, and one Pakistani—for cyber terrorism, identity theft, and large-scale internet fraud.
The ruling, delivered between June 19 and 20, 2025, came after an extensive investigation and prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The convicted persons were arraigned on multiple charges relating to cyber offences, which officials said were designed to destabilise Nigeria’s economic and social systems.
The convicted Chinese nationals are Peng Li Huan, Zhang Jin Rong, He Kun, Guo Long Long, Zhang Hua Zhai, Lin Hao Bo, Chen Fusheng, Chen Dong Dong, Wang Gong Lin, Pan Cai Yu, Huang Ren Jian, Zhang Xiao Lei, Chen Yuan, Wu Yong An, and Chen Xin. The Filipino convicts are Rachelle Cabalona and Caselyn Pionela, while the Pakistani national is identified as Khurram Shahzad.
One of the charges brought against Caselyn Pionela read:
“That you, Caselyn Pionela, sometime in December 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, willfully caused access to computer systems organised to seriously destabilise and destroy the fundamental economic and social structure of Nigeria when you procured/employed Nigerian youths for identity theft and to hold themselves out as persons of foreign nationality, with the intent to gain financial advantage for yourselves…”
The charge was said to violate provisions of Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (amended in 2024), and Section 2(3)(d) of the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Upon arraignment, all 18 defendants pleaded guilty to the charges. Prosecutors representing the EFCC—Spiff Owede, Bilkisu Buhari-Bala, Chinenye Okezie, Ebuka Okongwu, B.M. Isah, and Nambam Mutfwang—asked the court to convict the accused and order forfeiture of all equipment and materials recovered during the investigation.
Following their guilty pleas, Justices Chukwujekwu Aneke, Ayokunle Faji, and Yellim Bogoro found all 18 defendants guilty. Each was sentenced to one year imprisonment with an option of a ₦1 million fine.
In addition to the prison sentences, the court ordered the forfeiture of all items recovered from the convicts to the Federal Government of Nigeria. It also directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to deport the convicts within seven days after they complete their sentences.
“This is a strong message to cybercriminals, especially foreign nationals who think they can exploit our digital infrastructure with impunity,” an EFCC official stated.
The EFCC noted that these individuals were part of a broader network of 792 suspects arrested during an extensive operation targeting cyberterrorism across the country.
“This development reinforces our resolve to secure Nigeria’s digital ecosystem from both local and transnational threats,” the commission added.
The EFCC has urged the public to remain alert and report any suspicious online activity via its official platforms. The Commission reaffirmed its dedication to cleansing the country’s cyberspace and protecting its citizens from digital exploitation.
This case stands as one of Nigeria’s most coordinated cybercrime convictions involving foreign nationals, reflecting a broader strategy to counter growing threats in the digital landscape.
