The Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, June 23, 2025, secured the conviction and sentencing of 17 Chinese nationals to one year imprisonment each for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
The judgment was delivered by Justices D.E. Osiagor and D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The convictsโYu Hui (a.k.a A.Bin), Huang Jin Hui, Fei Fan, Lu Qiang, Hu Xi Zheng, Sun Zhi Peng, Wu Hao, Cong Bing, Li Qiang (a.k.a Yang Huan Huan), Zheng Wei (a.k.a A Hong), Cheng Jian, Da Tou, A Wen, Zhang Lei, Huang Zhi, Pan Jiong, and Chen Wen Yuanโwere part of a 792-member syndicate arrested on December 19, 2024, in Lagos during a sting operation codenamed โEagle Flush Operationโ. They were arraigned in February 2025 on separate one-count charges of cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
One of the charges read: โThat you, Yu Hui (a.k.a A.Bin), Huang Jin Hui, Fei Fan, Lu Qiang, Hu Xi Zheng, Sun Zhi Peng, Wu Hao, Cong Bing, Li Qiang (a.k.a Yang Huan Huan), Zheng Wei (a.k.a A Hong), Cheng Jian, Da Tou, A Wen, Huang Zhi, Zhang Lei, sometime in December 2024 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, caused to be accessed a computer system used 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(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015.โ
Another charge stated: โThat you, Pan Jiong and Chen Wen Yuan, sometime in December 2024 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, caused to be accessed a computer system used 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(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015.โ
Initially, the defendants pleaded โnot guiltyโ but later changed the charge to plead โguiltyโ* during Mondayโs sitting. Prosecution counsel Nneemeka Omewa, U.S. Kyari, and B.M. Isah informed the court of the plea bargain agreement, which the defence counsel affirmed, urging the court to accept the terms.
Consequently, Justices Osiagor and Dipeolu convicted and sentenced each defendant to one year imprisonment, effective from their arrest date on December 10, 2024, and imposed a fine of N1,000,000 (One Million Naira only).
The judges further directed the Comptroller General of Immigration to ensure the convictsโ repatriation to China within seven days. Additionally, all seized itemsโmobile phones, computers, laptops, and routersโwere forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The ruling underscores Nigeriaโs intensified crackdown on cybercrime, particularly cases involving foreign nationals exploiting the countryโs digital space for illicit financial activities. The EFCCโs โEagle Flush Operationโ remains a pivotal effort in curbing transnational cyber fraud networks.
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