23 Chinese nationals jailed for cyber-terrorism, internet fraud in Lagos

A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced 23 Chinese nationals to one-year imprisonment each for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in a statement released on Monday, by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said the convicts were part of a 792-member syndicate arrested in Lagos on December 19, 2024, during a massive sting operation codenamed “Eagle Flush Operation.”

The convictions came in two separate rulings delivered by Justices D.I. Dipeolu, A.O. Faji, and D.E. Osiagor of the Federal High Court, following the defendants’ change of plea from “not guilty” to “guilty.”

According to EFCC, the first group of six Chinese nationals—Jia You (a.k.a. A. You), Wang Zheng Feng (a.k.a. Feng), Liu San Hua, Chen Wen Yuan, Liu Beixing, and Wen Zong Xu (a.k.a. Li Long), was convicted by Dipeolu and Faji (Justices)
after pleading guilty to charges of cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.

“That you, Luo Jia You (a.k.a. A. You), sometimes in December 2024 at Lagos, Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, willfully caused to be accessed computer systems used for the purpose of destabilizing and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria”, the statement reads.

Babatunde Sonoiki, Prosecution counsel, U.S. Kyari, and B.M. Isah prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants in line with their plea bargain.

“The court subsequently sentenced each of the six convicts to one year in prison, effective from their arrest date, December 10, 2025. They were also fined ₦1,000,000 each.

“In addition, the court ordered that upon completion of their sentence, the Comptroller General of Immigration should ensure their deportation within seven days.

All digital devices, phones, laptops, and routers seized at the point of arrest were also ordered forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria”, the statement added.

The Commission also noted the second ruling involved 17 Chinese nationals: 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, Zhang Lei, Huang Zhi, Pan Jiong, and Chen Wen Yuan.

It also said that they were arraigned in February 2025 on similar charges, including accessing computer systems with the intent to destabilize Nigeria’s economy and social structure, offences punishable under Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

“Initially pleading not guilty, they all reversed their pleas to guilty during Monday’s court session”, EFCC said.

The EFCC prosecution team, Nneemeka Omewa, U.S. Kyari, and B.M. Isah presented a plea bargain agreement which the defence did not oppose.

Dipeolu and Osiagor sentenced the 17 defendants to one-year imprisonment each, also effective from their arrest date on December 10, 2025, with a fine of ₦1,000,000 each.

The judges further directed their deportation upon completion of their jail term and ordered the forfeiture of all confiscated digital devices to the Federal Government.

The Eagle Flush Operation, launched by the EFCC in December 2024, targeted a large network of alleged cybercriminals engaged in cryptocurrency investment scams and online romance frauds.

The crackdown, according to EFCC, led to the arrest of 792 suspects across Lagos, many of whom are currently facing prosecution.

The EFCC says the operation marks a decisive move to combat transnational cybercrime and protect Nigeria’s digital and economic infrastructure from foreign and local threats.

With these latest convictions, the EFCC has reaffirmed its commitment to following through with the prosecution of the remaining suspects linked to the syndicate.

The Commission has also urged members of the public to remain vigilant against fraudulent online schemes and report suspicious cyber activities to the authorities.