By Nkechi Eze
Justice D.E. Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced nine Chinese nationals to one year imprisonment each for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
According to a statement by the spokesperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Dele Oyewale, the convicts 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 during a coordinated sting operation codenamed “Eagle Flush Operation” on December 19, 2024.
The operation, carried out by EFCC operatives, targeted a syndicate of 792 suspected cryptocurrency investment and romance fraudsters operating in Lagos.
The convicts were arraigned in February 2025 by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC on separate one-count charges bordering on cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
The charge read in part:
“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.”
The accused initially pleaded not guilty, but during the court sitting on Thursday, June 5, 2025, they changed their plea to guilty.
Following the change of plea, prosecution counsel Nnaemeka Omewa urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. The defence counsel raised no objection and aligned with the prosecution’s request.
Justice Osiagor subsequently sentenced each defendant to one year imprisonment, effective from the date of their arrest, December 19, 2024, with an option of a N1 million fine.
The judge also ordered that the nine convicts be repatriated to China within seven days after completing their prison term. Additionally, all digital devices including mobile phones, laptops, computers, and routers seized from them at the time of arrest were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The EFCC has continued to intensify its crackdown on cybercriminal networks as part of its broader mandate to combat financial and economic crimes in Nigeria.
