Amanze ChinonyeIn a landmark ruling, the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, convicted and sentenced nine Chinese nationals for crimes related to cyberterrorism and internet fraud.
The convicted individuals – Deng Wen Quang, Lin Jin, Shi Yang Xiong, Lu Yong Yao, Yang Chen Cheng, Feng Li Cai, Li Niue, Li Kuang Kuang, and Dan Jia (also known as Bu Fan) were prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in separate but coordinated cases brought before Justices Chukwuemeka Aneke and Dehinde Dipeolu.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe EFCC accused the defendants of orchestrating a transnational cybercrime network designed to exploit Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
According to court filings, the group recruited Nigerian youths to engage in identity theft and impersonation schemes, masquerading as foreign nationals to carry out financial fraud.
In one of the charges, Yang Chen Cheng was said to have “willfully caused to be accessed, computer systems organized to seriously destabilize and destroy the fundamental economic and social structure of Nigeria” by facilitating large-scale identity theft for personal financial gain. The offense was said to violate Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.
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All nine defendants pleaded guilty to the charges when arraigned separately before the court.
Following their guilty pleas, prosecution counsel M.K. Bashir, Babatunde Sonoiki, and B.M. Isha urged the courts to convict the defendants and order the forfeiture of all items recovered during the investigation.
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Both courts found the defendants guilty and handed down uniform sentences each convict was sentenced to one year in prison and fined ₦1 million.
In addition to the custodial sentence and fine, the courts ordered that all items recovered from the cybercrime ring be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Further, the courts directed the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to arrange the repatriation of all nine convicts to China within seven days of completing their prison terms.
The case marks one of the most significant cybercrime convictions involving foreign nationals in Nigeria’s recent history, signaling the country’s growing determination to clamp down on cross-border digital crimes.
The EFCC, in a statement, reiterated its commitment to collaborating with international partners to ensure Nigeria’s cyberspace is not used as a hub for global fraud and cyberterrorism.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
