A Federal High Court located in Ikoyi, Lagos, convicted and sentenced 14 Chinese nationals on Friday for their involvement in cyber-terrorism and Internet fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reported that the individuals were part of a cybercrime syndicate that was dismantled during a sting operation in Lagos on December 19, 2024.
In a statement shared on its 𝕏 account, the anti-corruption agency indicated that these 14 individuals were among 792 suspects apprehended for purported cryptocurrency investment and romance scams aimed at Nigerians.
They were brought before Justice Daniel Osiagor on distinct charges of cyber-terrorism and Internet fraud.
One of the charges stated that Su Zong Gen, in December 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, intentionally accessed a computer system with the intent to destabilise and undermine the economy and social structure of Nigeria.
Initially, the defendants pleaded not guilty; however, they subsequently changed their plea to guilty during the proceedings on Friday.
Prosecution counsel, T.J. Banjo and M.S. Owede, urged the court to convict the defendants accordingly, while the defence team did not contest the application.
Naijaonpoint reports that Justice Osiagor sentenced each of the convicts to one year of imprisonment, with an option to pay a fine of N1 million.
The court further directed that, upon completion of their sentence or payment of the fine, the convicts should be deported to China within seven days by the Nigerian Immigration Service.
All items seized from the convicts at the time of their arrest were ordered to be 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.