A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday convicted and sentenced 14 Chinese nationals for their involvement in cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the convicts were part of a cybercrime syndicate uncovered during a sting operation conducted in Lagos on December 19, 2024.
The operation led to the arrest of 792 suspects allegedly linked to cryptocurrency investment and romance scams targeting Nigerians.
The 14 individuals were arraigned before Justice Daniel Osiagor on various charges of cyber-terrorism and online fraud.
One of the charges accused a suspect, Su Zong Gen, of deliberately accessing computer systems to destabilise Nigeria’s economy and social structure.
Although the defendants initially pleaded not guilty, they later changed their plea to guilty during Friday’s court session.
Prosecuting counsels T.J. Banjo and M.S. Owede requested the court to convict the defendants accordingly.
With no objection from the defence, Justice Osiagor sentenced each of the 14 to one year imprisonment with an option of a ₦1 million fine.
The judge further ordered that, upon completing their jail term or payment of the fine, the convicts be deported to China within seven days under the supervision of the Nigeria Immigration Service.
All items recovered from them during their arrest were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.
Those convicted include: 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.