A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced nine Chinese nationals to one year in prison for their involvement in cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
Justice D.E. Osiagor delivered the ruling on Monday, July 7, 2025, after the accused persons changed their pleas from not guilty to guilty. The convicts were charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The nine were part of a larger cyber fraud syndicate, with 792 suspects arrested during a major sting operation by the EFCC in Lagos on December 19, 2024. The operation, codenamed “Eagle Flush,” targeted foreign nationals involved in coordinated online scams.
Those convicted include Qin Xiao Yong, Luo Mao Yang, Liu Ni Ni, Liu Gang, Sun Qi (also known as Wan Jin Ping), Zhang Juan, Li de Wen, Fun Min, and Tan Ming. They were accused of attempting to destabilize Nigeria’s economy and social systems using computer systems.
Each convict was sentenced to one year imprisonment, starting from their arrest date — December 10, 2024 and fined N1 million.
In addition, Justice Osiagor ordered the Comptroller General of Immigration to deport all nine individuals back to China within seven days of the ruling.
Digital devices recovered during the arrest — including laptops, mobile phones, and internet routers were also forfeited to the Federal Government.
The EFCC continues to crack down on international cybercrime rings operating in Nigeria, as the country grapples with growing digital fraud cases targeting financial and social systems.