A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced nine Chinese nationals to one year in prison each for their involvement in cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
The judgment was delivered by Justice D.E. Osiagor following their arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The convicted individuals—Li Dong, Deng Wei Qiang, Huang Bo, Xiong Zhen, Lai Rui Feng, Zhao Xiao Hui, Lui Hai Rong, Lui Gang, and Du Ji Feng—were arrested on December 19, 2024, during a large-scale raid code-named Eagle Flush Operation targeting cybercriminal syndicates across Lagos.
The operation led to the arrest of over 790 suspected fraudsters, many allegedly involved in cryptocurrency scams and romance fraud.
The EFCC stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the suspects were each charged with separate counts of cyber-terrorism and internet fraud in February 2025.
According to the EFCC, the charge read: “That you, Li Dong and others, sometime in December 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to cause unauthorized access to computer systems used in acts aimed at destabilizing and undermining the Nigerian economy and social structures, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 27 (1)(b) and punishable under Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015.”
Initially, the defendants pleaded not guilty. However, on June 5, 2025, they changed their pleas to guilty.
The EFCC’s counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants in line with their new plea. The defence counsel did not object.
Delivering judgment, Justice Osiagor sentenced each of the nine convicts to one year in prison, effective from the date of their arrest—December 19, 2024. He also imposed a fine of N1 million on each individual.
In addition to the prison terms, the court ordered the forfeiture of all electronic devices—including mobile phones, laptops, and routers—seized during the sting operation, to the Federal Government.
Justice Osiagor also directed the Comptroller General of Immigration to ensure the repatriation of all nine convicts to China within seven days of completing their jail terms.
The EFCC emphasized that the ruling sends a clear message about Nigeria’s commitment to protecting its digital space and economic infrastructure.
“Cybercrime is a threat to national security and economic stability. This judgment reaffirms our resolve to go after local and foreign actors involved in these crimes,” an EFCC spokesperson said.