Five Chinese nationals jailed in Lagos for cyberterrorism, internet fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of five Chinese nationals for offences bordering on cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.

Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, delivered the judgment on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

The convicts—Guo Qiang, Yang Shumei, Guo Zhi Yong, Zhang Gia Feng, and Lu Yi Liang—were identified as members of a sophisticated syndicate behind large-scale cryptocurrency investment scams and romance fraud.

They were among 792 suspects arrested during the EFCC’s “Eagle Flush Operation,” a coordinated sting carried out in Lagos on December 19, 2024.

Initially, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, which involved unlawful access to computer systems with intent to disrupt Nigeria’s economic and social structures. However, during Tuesday’s proceedings, they changed their plea to guilty.

Following the plea reversal, the prosecuting counsel, U.S. Kyari, urged the court to convict them accordingly.

Justice Dipeolu sentenced each defendant to one year in prison and imposed a fine of N1 million.

The judge also ordered the Nigeria Immigration Service to arrange their deportation to China within seven days of completing their prison terms.