12 Filipinos jailed for cyber-terrorism, to be deported from Nigeria upon release

A federal high court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has convicted 12 Filipinos for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.

The convicts are 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.

They were arraigned on Friday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on separate charges of fraud.

Anjeanette Topacio was accused of destabilising Nigeria’s economic and social structures by recruiting Nigerian youths to engage in identity theft and impersonate foreign nationals for financial gain.

Topacio’s actions contravened the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024), and the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Shairah Mae Reyes was found in possession of false documents obtained via Telegram, where she posed as a UK-based woman in a fraudulent scheme, an offence under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

Court Jails 12 Filipinos for Cyber-terrorism, Internet Fraud in Lagos

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Justice Yellin Bogoro of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, May 23, 2025, convicted and sentenced twelve Filipinos to one year imprisonment each for cyber-terrorism and internet… pic.twitter.com/PAEW1QpJ7f

— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) May 23, 2025

All defendants pleaded guilty to the charges.

Following their guilty pleas, prosecution counsel N.K. Ukoha and H.U. Kofarnaisa urged the court to convict the defendants in line with their plea bargain agreements with the EFCC.

Yellim Bogoro, the presiding judge, convicted and sentenced each defendant to one year imprisonment and imposed a fine of one million naira. The court also ordered that all electronic devices recovered from them be forfeited to the federal government.

Additionally, the judge directed Kemi Nanna Nandap, comptroller-general of the Nigeria Immigration Service, to arrange for the deportation of the convicts within seven days after they complete their prison terms.