Follow us on Google News
The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured the conviction of nine Chinese nationals for cyber‑terrorism and internet fraud. Justice D. E. Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi delivered the judgment on July 7, 2025, sentencing each to one year in prison, alongside a fine of ₹1.46 crore (₦1,000,000). This outcome marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s campaign against foreign‑led cyber syndicates.
Syndicate’s Modus Operandi
The group, among 792 individuals tied to Eagle Flush Operation in December 2024, initially faced charges in February 2025. The EFCC accused them of orchestrating fraud, which “destabilised and destroyed the economy and social structure of Nigeria”.
The suspects—identified as Qin Xiao Yong, Luo Mao Yang, Liu Ni Ni, Liu Gang, Sun Qi (aka Wan Jin Ping), Zhang Juan, Li de Wen, Fun Min, and Tan Ming—first pleaded not guilty, then shifted to guilty during the June court session.
Court Orders Asset Forfeiture & Repatriation
Beyond imprisonment and fines, the court mandated forfeiture of all electronic devices, phones, laptops, and routers seized during arrests. Further, the Nigerian Immigration Service has seven days after the sentence to deport the convicts back to China.
Algoritha: The Most Trusted Name in BFSI Investigations and DFIR Services
The judgment is a robust affirmation of EFCC’s resolve under the Cybercrime Act, echoing growing global cooperation and enforcement against transnational digital threats.
This ruling highlights how national agencies like EFCC are effectively dismantling international cyber syndicates. With cross‑border legal enforcement, device forfeiture, and swift repatriation, Nigeria warns that its cyber defences are anything but a mirage.
