The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted 59 foreign nationals for their roles in a large-scale cybercrime network uncovered by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC).
The convicts, identified as citizens of China and Malaysia, were among 130 suspects arrested during a police raid on a building located in the Jahi area of Abuja on November 3, 2024.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi Hundeyin, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, noting that the suspects were implicated in internet fraud, advanced hacking operations, and other cybercrimes capable of threatening Nigeria’s national security.
Hundeyin said that with the latest ruling, the total number of convicts from the syndicate has risen to 85, following earlier convictions of 21 suspects in August and five in September 2025.
He described the development as another milestone in the police’s ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime and safeguard the country’s digital space.
“In furtherance of the Nigeria Police Force’s sustained efforts in combating all forms of cybercrimes and safeguarding national security, the National Cybercrime Centre has recorded another milestone with the conviction of an additional fifty-nine (59) foreign nationals,” Hundeyin stated.
He added that the convictions were secured after the presentation of digital forensic evidence that linked the offenders to their criminal activities.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, commended the cybercrime unit for its diligence, describing the outcome as a strong signal to both local and international cybercriminal networks that Nigeria would not be a safe haven for such operations.
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Egbetokun reaffirmed the police’s commitment to deploying advanced technology, strengthening international cooperation, and maintaining robust investigative and prosecutorial strategies to dismantle organised cybercrime networks.
The development comes as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Immigration Service continue joint operations to repatriate convicted foreign nationals.
In August, the EFCC confirmed the deportation of 51 foreign convicts, including 50 Chinese nationals and one Tunisian, bringing the total number of deported cybercrime offenders to 102 since the exercise began on August 15, 2025.
Authorities have reiterated that both local and foreign offenders involved in cyber-related crimes will face prosecution and deportation in line with Nigerian and international law.