In a major legal development, the Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted fourteen Chinese nationals for their involvement in cyber-terrorism and internet fraud. The judgment, delivered on Friday by Justice Daniel Osiagor, marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against transnational cybercrime syndicates.
The case, prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), stems from a wide-scale sting operation conducted on December 19, 2024. Codenamed "Eagle Flush Operation", the mission led to the arrest of 792 suspects allegedly linked to sophisticated cryptocurrency investment scams and romance frauds targeting Nigerian citizens and financial institutions.
According to EFCC investigators, the convicted individuals were part of a larger, well-organized cyber syndicate. Their operations allegedly posed a threat not just to financial security but also to the national economy and public trust.
The convicted Chinese nationals 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. Each of them faced individual charges related to cyber-terrorism and internet fraud under the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015, as amended in 2024.
One of the charges read in court stated:
That you, Su Zong Gen, sometime in December 2024 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, wilfully caused to be accessed a computer system for the purpose of destabilising and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended, 2024)."
Initially, all fourteen defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, they later reversed their pleas, choosing to accept the plea bargain offered by the prosecution.
During the court proceedings, EFCC Counsel Spiff Owede and Temitope Banjo informed the court that the defendants had opted for a plea bargain arrangement. The legal team urged the court to adopt the terms of the plea. The prosecution counsel, T.J Banjo and M.S Owede then prayed the court to convict them accordingly. The Defence Counsel did not raise any objection.
Justice Osiagor accepted the plea agreement and sentenced each defendant to one year of imprisonment, in addition to a monetary fine of ₦1,000,000. The court further ordered that, upon the completion of their prison terms, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service should ensure the immediate deportation of the defendants to their countries of origin.
Justice Osiagor also ordered the forfeiture of the items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The conviction underscores Nigeria’s commitment to clamping down on cybercrime and highlights the increasing cases of cyberterrorism and internet fraud. EFCC officials have reiterated their determination to dismantle transnational fraud networks and protect Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
Legal analysts note that this case also sets a precedent for future prosecutions involving foreign nationals who exploit Nigeria’s digital space for illegal
purposes.
