A Federal High Court in Lagos, on Friday convicted and sentenced 14 Chinese for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud to one year imprisonment as well as ordered their repatriation at the completion of their jail.
The Justice Daniel Osiagor court also fined the defendants N1,000,000.00 (One Million Naira).
“All the defendants were sentenced to one year imprisonment, with a fine of N1,000,000.00 (One Million Naira)”, said a statement by the Commission.
In handing the ruling in the matter brought before it by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the judge also ordered the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, should ensure that they are repatriated to their country of origin within seven days.
Justice Osiagor ordered the forfeiture of the items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The suspects are: 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.
“They are among the syndicate of 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested on December 19, 2024 in Lagos during a sting operation tagged ‘Eagle Flush Operation’ conducted by EFCC operatives”, stressed the statement issued by the head of media and publicity for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale.
The defendants initially pleaded “not guilty” to the charges preferred against them.
“However, during Friday’s sitting, they all changed their “not guilty plea” to “guilty,” Oyewale stated.
