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A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos has convicted and sentenced 14 Chinese nationals for cyber-terrorism and Internet fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission reported that these individuals were part of a cybercrime syndicate apprehended in a sting operation in Lagos on December 19, 2024.
According to a statement from the anti-corruption agency on social media, these 14 were among 792 individuals detained for alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance scams targeting Nigerians.
They appeared before Justice Daniel Osiagor on various charges related to cyber-terrorism and Internet fraud.
One of the charges stated, “That you, Su Zong Gen, at some point in December 2024 in Lagos, intentionally accessed a computer system to destabilize and undermine the economy and social structure of Nigeria…”
Initially pleading not guilty, the defendants later changed their pleas to guilty during Friday's court session.
Prosecution attorneys T.J. Banjo and M.S. Owede urged for appropriate convictions, which the defense team did not contest. Justice Osiagor sentenced each defendant to one year in prison, with an option for a fine of N1 million.
The court also mandated that upon completing their sentences or paying the fines, the convicts be deported back to China within seven days by the Nigeria Immigration Service.
All items seized from the convicts during their arrest were ordered to be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The convicted individuals are: 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.
