Two Chinese nationals have been sentenced to 46 years in prison each by the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, for offences related to cyber terrorism and internet fraud.
Justice Daniel Osiagor on Wednesday convicted Huang Haoyu and An Hongxu, who were among 792 suspected fraudsters arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during a large-scale sting operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation” on December 19, 2024, in Lagos.
The operation targeted an extensive criminal network allegedly engaged in cryptocurrency fraud, fake investment schemes, and romance scams.
Also charged alongside the duo was Friday Audu. While Haoyu and Hongxu changed their pleas to guilty during the proceedings, Audu maintained his not-guilty plea and opted to stand trial.
Investigations revealed that Audu allegedly registered Genting International Co. Ltd. at the instruction of Huang Haoyu to facilitate the fraudulent activities.
According to the EFCC, the syndicate recruited Nigerian youths and directed them to impersonate foreign nationals on digital platforms to deceive unsuspecting victims.
The defendants — Haoyu, Hongxu, Audu, and Genting International Co. Ltd. — were arraigned by the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 on a seven-count charge bordering on cyber terrorism, internet fraud, and money laundering involving N3,407,824,740.78 and $2,562,203.
One of the counts alleged that in 2024, the defendants conspired in Lagos to intentionally access computer systems in a manner aimed at destabilising Nigeria’s economic and social systems for financial gain. The charge was filed under Section 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024), and is punishable under Section 18 of the same Act.
Although all defendants initially pleaded not guilty, counsel to the first and third defendants, Bridget Omateno, informed the court during Wednesday’s resumed hearing that her clients wished to change their pleas.
Upon re-arraignment, Haoyu and Hongxu pleaded guilty, while Audu maintained his innocence.
Following the guilty pleas, prosecuting counsel Bilikisu Bala-Buhari told the court that two witnesses had already testified before the change of plea. She urged the court to impose the maximum sentence of life imprisonment on counts one to three and 14 years’ imprisonment on counts four to seven.
Justice Osiagor subsequently sentenced the two Chinese nationals to 46 years’ imprisonment each.
The court also granted the prosecution’s request for the forfeiture of items recovered from four luxury properties in Victoria Island and Ikoyi to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Items forfeited include 1,596 mobile phones, 2,120 office chairs, 544 office tables, 194 routers, 43 computer systems, a network server, 126 air-conditioning units, several generators and vehicles, hundreds of mattresses and bunk beds, thousands of SIM cards across multiple networks, and other electronic devices and household materials.
The properties involved in the operation are located at No. 7 Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island; Plot 1220 Bishop Oluwole Street, Victoria Island; 54A A.J. Marinho Drive, Victoria Island; and No. 14A Modupe Alakija Crescent, Ikoyi.
Meanwhile, a fourth suspect, Duliang Pan, is still at large, while Audu’s trial is set to continue.