A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced nine Chinese nationals to one year in prison following their conviction for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.

The verdict was delivered by Justice D. E. Osiagor after they pleaded guilty during proceedings held on Thursday, June 5, 2025.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, announced that the convicts were apprehended in December 2024 during a large-scale sting operation.

The group forms part of a wider network of 792 suspects allegedly involved in cryptocurrency investment scams and romance-related fraud schemes.

According to an EFCC statement released on X, the defendants – LI Dong, Deng Wei Qiang, Huang Bo, Xiong Zhen, Lai Rui Feng, Zhao Xiao Hui, Lui Hai Rong, Lui Gang, and Du Ji Feng – were formally charged in February 2025.

The single-count charges centered on unauthorized access to computer systems with the intent to disrupt Nigeria’s economic and social infrastructure, in violation of Section 27 (1)(b) and punishable under Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

After their guilty pleas, EFCC prosecuting counsel Nnaemeka Omewa requested sentencing, a motion that was not contested by the defense.

The court sentenced each defendant to one year in prison, with the term effective from their arrest date – December 10, 2024. Each convict was also fined N1,000,000.

Justice Osiagor also ordered the repatriation of the nine persons to China within seven days of completing their sentences.

Items recovered from the convicts, including mobile phones, laptops, computers, and routers, were forfeited to the Federal Government.