No fewer than 14 Chinese nationals have been convicted and sentenced to one year imprisonment each for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
This follows the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) securing their conviction before Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, on Friday, June 27, 2025.
The convicted individuals are Su Zong Gen, Li Zhong Chang, Chen Gui Ping, Li Xiang Long, San Feng Zhang, Jia Yang, Jia Zhi Hao, Liu Chuang, Yu Hai Ging, Zhao Xiao Liang, Dai Li, Tao Kun, Mao Bu Yi and Zhao Zi Cheng.
According to the EFCC, they are among a syndicate of 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested on December 19, 2024 in Lagos during a sting operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation” conducted by its operatives.
The Commission disclosed that the convicts were arraigned on separate charges bordering on cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
One of the charges reads: “That you, Su Zong Gen, sometime in December 2024 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, willfully caused to be accessed computer system for the purpose of destabilizing and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).”
They initially pleaded “not guilty” to the charges preferred against them. However, during Friday’s sitting, their pleas changed to “guilty.”
In view of this, prosecution counsel, T.J Banjo and M.S Owede prayed the court to convict them accordingly.
In response, the defence counsel agreed with the submissions of the prosecution. Consequently, Justice Osiagor convicted and sentenced them as charged.
All the defendants were sentenced to one year imprisonment, with an option of a fine of ₦1 million each.
The judge ordered that upon completion of their sentences, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) must ensure their repatriation to their country of origin within seven days.
Justice Osiagor also ordered the forfeiture of the items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
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