Lagos: Nine Chinese Bag Jail Terms over Cyber Terrorism, Internet Fraud

No fewer than nine Chinese nationals have been convicted and sentenced to one year imprisonment each for cyber terrorism and internet fraud.

According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), they were sentenced by Justice D. E. Osiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The convicts are LI Dong, Deng Wei Qiang, Huang Bo, Xiong Zhen, Lai Rui Feng , Zhao Xiao Hui, Lui Hai Rong, Lui Gang, and Du Ji  Feng.

EFCC revealed that they were part of the syndicate of 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested in Lagos on December 19, 2024, during a sting operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation” conducted by its operatives.

The Commission noted that they were subsequently arraigned on one–count separate charges of cyber-terrorism and internet fraud in February 2025 by its Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 in Ikoyi.

The charge reads: “ That you, LI Dong, Deng Wei Qiang, Huang Bo, Xiong Zhen, Lai Rui Feng , Zhao Xiao Hui, Lui Hai Rong, Lui Gang  and Du Ji  Feng, sometime in December, 2024 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: cause to be accessed computer system used for the purpose of destabilising and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) (b) and punishable under Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015.”

They initially pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to them. However, during the sitting on June 5, 2025, their “not guilty plea” was changed to “guilty”.

In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

Responding, the defence counsel agreed with the submission of the prosecution and prayed the court to accept the same.

Consequently, Justice Osiagor convicted and sentenced each of the defendants to one year imprisonment starting from the date of their arrest, with a fine in the sum of ₦1 million each.

The judge also ordered that upon completion of their prison sentence, the Comptroller-General of Immigration should ensure that they are repatriated to their country of origin within seven days.

The mobile phones, computers, laptops and routers seized from them at the time of arrest were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.