A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday found 14 Chinese nationals guilty and sentenced them for charges related to cyber-terrorism and Internet fraud.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the individuals were part of a cybercrime syndicate that was dismantled during a sting operation conducted in Lagos on December 19, 2024.
In a statement shared via its official X handle, the anti-corruption agency revealed that the 14 individuals were among 792 suspects apprehended in connection with alleged cryptocurrency investment scams and romance fraud schemes targeting Nigerians.
The suspects were brought before Justice Daniel Osiagor on separate charges involving cyber-terrorism and Internet fraud.
One of the charges stated, “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 destabilising and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria…”
Though the accused initially pleaded not guilty, they later reversed their plea to guilty during Friday’s court session.
Prosecuting counsels T.J. Banjo and M.S. Owede urged the court to convict the defendants, and the defence raised no objection.
Justice Osiagor subsequently handed down a one-year prison sentence to each defendant, with an option of a ₦1 million fine.
The court also directed that upon serving their sentence or payment of the fine, the convicts be deported to China within seven days, under the supervision of the Nigeria Immigration Service.
Additionally, all items confiscated from the convicts at the time of arrest were ordered to be forfeited to the Federal Government.
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.
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