The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of five Chinese nationals on charges related to cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
The judgment was delivered on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, by Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The convicted individuals, identified as Guo Qiang, Yang Shumei, Guo Zhi Yong, Zhang Gia Feng, and Lu Yi Liang, were part of a larger syndicate involved in a broad cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud scheme. They were among 792 suspects apprehended on December 19, 2024, during a sting operation by EFCC operatives in Lagos, code-named “Eagle Flush Operation.”
Each defendant faced separate charges stemming from their roles in cybercrime activities, which included unauthorised access to computer systems with the intent to undermine Nigeria’s economic and social infrastructure.
Initially, the accused pleaded not guilty upon arraignment. However, during court proceedings on Tuesday, they changed their plea to guilty, leading the prosecution counsel, U.S. Kyari, to request their conviction.
Justice Dipeolu subsequently sentenced each of the five convicts to one year in prison, in addition to a fine of N1,000,000 (One Million Naira). The court also ordered the Nigeria Immigration Service to facilitate their repatriation to China within seven days after they complete their jail terms.
