The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced nine Chinese nationals to one year in prison each for their involvement in cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
Justice D.E. Osiagor handed down the sentences on June 5, 2025, following the defendants’ guilty pleas. The convicts—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 arrested on December 19, 2024, in Lagos during the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) sting operation code-named “Eagle Flush Operation.”
The EFCC arraigned the defendants on separate one-count charges in February 2025. The charges stated that the nine conspired to access computer systems to destabilize Nigeria’s economy and social structure, in contravention of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015.
Initially pleading not guilty, the defendants changed their pleas to guilty during Thursday’s proceedings. The court also imposed a fine of N1 million on each convict, effective from the date of their arrest.
Justice Osiagor further ordered that the defendants be deported to their home country within seven days of completing their prison terms. Items seized from the convicts—including mobile phones, computers, laptops, and routers—were ordered forfeited to the federal government.
