A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced nine Chinese nationals to one year imprisonment for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud. The verdict was delivered by Justice D. E. Osiagor on June 5, 2025, after the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had apprehended the convicts in December 2024 during a sting operation that netted 792 suspects allegedly involved in cryptocurrency investment scams and romance-related fraud schemes. The nine Chinese nationals – 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 formally charged in February 2025.
They were accused of unauthorized access to computer systems with the intent to disrupt Nigeria’s economic and social infrastructure, contrary to Section 27 (1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015. After their guilty pleas, the court sentenced each defendant to one year in prison, effective from their arrest date, December 10, 2024. Each convict was also fined N1,000,000.
Justice Osiagor ordered the repatriation of the nine persons to China within seven days of completing their sentences. The court also ordered the forfeiture of items recovered from the convicts, including mobile phones, laptops, computers, and routers, to the Federal Government.
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