Fourteen Chinese nationals have been sentenced to prison in Lagos for their roles in cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
They were convicted by the Federal High Court in Ikoyi on Friday, following charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC arrested the suspects during a raid in Lagos on December 19, 2024.
The sting operation uncovered a cybercrime network said to be behind fake cryptocurrency schemes and online dating scams aimed at Nigerians.
Out of 792 people arrested in that operation, these 14 were found to be directly involved in activities threatening Nigeria’s economic and social stability.
The suspects, who were arraigned before Justice Daniel Osiagor, initially denied the charges.
However, during the court hearing on Friday, they changed their plea to guilty.
The court then sentenced each of them to one year in prison with an option to pay a fine of one million naira each.
The judge also ordered that the convicts be deported to China within seven days after serving their jail terms or paying the fines.
The Nigeria Immigration Service was tasked with carrying out the deportation.
Items found in their possession during the arrest were confiscated and handed over to the Federal Government.
The convicted individuals 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.
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