A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Friday sentenced seven Chinese nationals to one year in prison each for alleged cyberterrorism and internet fraud scheme.
The convicts — Peng Li Huan, Zhang Jin Rong, He Kun, Rachelle Cabalona, Caselyn Pionela, Guo Long Long, and Zhang Hua Zhai — were arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, during a large-scale raid on a property located along Oyin Jolayemi Street, Lagos. The operation resulted in the apprehension of over 700 individuals associated with the syndicate.
They were arraigned separately before Justices Ayokunle Faji, Chukwujekwu Aneke, and Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court on one-count charges relating to cyberterrorism and internet fraud.
Prosecuting counsel — Bilkisu Buhari-Bala, Chineye Okezie, and Banjo Temitope — informed the court that the defendants had entered into plea bargain agreements with the Commission, all of which were filed on June 20, 2025.
Each defendant pleaded guilty and confirmed that they voluntarily accepted the terms of the plea agreements.
In their respective rulings, the judges convicted and sentenced the seven individuals to one year imprisonment each, with an option of a ₦1,000,000 (One Million Naira) fine.
The court further directed the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to ensure that the convicts are deported to their home countries within seven days of completing their jail terms.
According to the amended charge read in court, the defendants had “willfully accessed computer systems organized to destabilize and destroy the fundamental economic and social structure of Nigeria by recruiting Nigerian youths to commit identity theft and impersonate foreign nationals for financial gain.”
Their actions violated Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024), and Section 2(3)(d) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.