A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday convicted and sentenced 14 Chinese nationals for charges relating to cyber-terrorism and Internet fraud.
According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the individuals were part of a cybercrime syndicate apprehended during a sting operation in Lagos on December 19, 2024.
In a post on its X handle, the anti-graft agency stated that the 14 individuals were among 792 suspects arrested over alleged involvement in cryptocurrency investment and romance scams targeting Nigerians.
The suspects appeared before Justice Daniel Osiagor on separate charges involving cyber-terrorism and Internet fraud.
One of the charges read, “That you, Su Zong Gen, sometime in December 2024 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, willfully caused to be accessed computer system for the purpose of destabilising and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria…”
The defendants initially pleaded not guilty but later changed their plea to guilty during Friday’s court session.
Prosecuting counsel T.J. Banjo and M.S. Owede requested the court to convict the individuals, a motion the defence did not oppose.
Justice Osiagor sentenced each of the convicts to one year in prison with an option of a N1m fine.
The court also directed that following the completion of their sentence or payment of the fine, the convicts should be deported to China within seven days by the Nigeria Immigration Service.
All items recovered during their arrest were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.
The convicted Chinese nationals 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.
