Nine Chinese Nationals Jailed in Lagos for Cyber-Terrorism, Internet Fraud
The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced nine Chinese nationals to one year in prison each for their involvement in cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
This was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday by Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
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 among 792 suspects arrested during the EFCC’s massive “Eagle Flush Operation” conducted on December 19, 2024. The coordinated raids targeted suspected cryptocurrency scams and online romance fraud networks operating across Lagos.
These syndicates were accused of executing complex online fraud schemes that defrauded both Nigerian and international victims, with devastating economic and social consequences.
Following their arrest, the nine Chinese nationals were arraigned in February 2025 on separate one-count charges linked to cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
According to the EFCC, the charge against them read:
“That you… conspired amongst yourselves to access a computer system used to destabilize and damage the economic and social structure of Nigeria… thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 27(1)(b) and punishable under Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015.”
Initially pleading not guilty, the defendants reversed their plea to guilty during a hearing on June 5, 2025.
Prosecution counsel Nnaemeka Omewa then requested immediate conviction and sentencing. With no objections from the defence, Justice D.E. Osiagor sentenced each of the convicts to one year imprisonment, retroactive from the date of their arrest, December 10, 2024.
In addition to the prison term, each individual is to pay a fine of ₦1,000,000. The court also ordered their deportation to China within seven days of completing their sentences.
Furthermore, mobile phones, laptops, routers, and other digital devices seized from the suspects at the time of arrest were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.
The EFCC hailed the conviction as a significant milestone in its ongoing crackdown on cross-border cybercrime, describing the operation as a vital move to protect Nigeria’s digital space and economic sovereignty.
