The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced five Chinese nationals for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud. Justice Dehinde Dipeolu handed down the judgment on Tuesday following their arrest in a major anti-cybercrime operation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The convicted individuals—Guo Qiang (aka Wu You You), Yang Shumei, Guo Zhi Yong, Zhang Gia Feng, and Lu Yi Liang—were among 792 suspects detained in Lagos on December 19, 2024, during the EFCC’s “Eagle Flush Operation.” This sting targeted a transnational syndicate involved in cryptocurrency investment scams and romance-related internet fraud.
According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the defendants faced charges including cyber-terrorism and online financial crimes. One count against Guo Qiang accused him of accessing a computer system to destabilize Nigeria’s economy and social structure, violating Section 18 of the Cybercrime Act (2015, amended 2024).
Initially pleading not guilty, the accused changed their pleas to guilty during Tuesday’s proceedings. EFCC prosecution counsel U.S. Kyari asked the court to convict them accordingly.
Justice Dipeolu sentenced each defendant to one year in prison, with an option to pay a N1,000,000 fine. The court also ordered the Nigeria Immigration Service to repatriate the convicts to China within seven days after sentence completion.
The EFCC hailed the ruling as a significant victory in its ongoing battle against cybercrime and the disruption of organized criminal networks operating in Nigeria.
