A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Monday, sentenced 17 Chinese nationals to one year imprisonment each for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
Anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, secured the convictions before Justices D.E. Osiagor and D.I. Dipeolu, following a plea bargain agreement.
The convicted Chinese nationals include Yu Hui (a.k.a A. Bin), Huang Jin Hui, Fei Fan, Lu Qiang, Hu Xi Zheng, Sun Zhi Peng, Wu Hao, Cong Bing, Li Qiang (a.k.a Yang Huan Huan), Zheng Wei (a.k.a A. Hong), Cheng Jian, Da Tou, A Wen, Zhang Lei, Huang Zhi, Pan Jiong, and Chen Wen Yuan.
They were part of a group of 792 suspected cybercriminals arrested during a sting operation codenamed “Eagle Flush Operation” carried out by EFCC operatives in Lagos on December 19, 2024.
Each defendant was arraigned separately in February 2025 on a one-count charge of accessing computer systems for the purpose of destabilising and damaging Nigeria’s economy and social structure, a crime in violation of Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.
Initially, all defendants pleaded not guilty but changed their plea to guilty during Monday’s proceedings. Prosecuting counsels Nneemeka Omewa, U.S. Kyari, and B.M. Isah informed the court of the plea bargain arrangements, which were accepted by the defence.
The court sentenced each of the 17 convicts to one year imprisonment effective from the date of arrest, December 10, 2024 and imposed a fine of N1,000,000 (One Million Naira) each.
In addition, the court ordered the Nigerian Immigration Service to repatriate all 17 convicts to China within seven days of the judgment.
It also directed that all items recovered during their arrest, including mobile phones, laptop computers, and routers, be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
