Chinese cyber fraud convicts sentenced in Lagos court after pleading guilty to internet fraud and cyber-terrorism targeting Nigeria’s economy
Chinese cyber fraud convicts have been sentenced to various jail terms after pleading guilty to serious charges of cyber-terrorism and internet fraud before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
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Justice Dehinde Dipeolu presided over the case, which marks a critical win in Nigeria’s fight against transnational online crime.
The five convicts—Guo Qiang (alias Wu You You), Yang Shumei, Guo Zhi Yong, Zhang Gia Feng, and Lu Yi Liang—were prosecuted by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
They were among 792 suspected cybercriminals arrested in December 2024 during a coordinated sting operation known as ‘Eagle Flush Operation’.
Each individual faced separate charges relating to cyber-terrorism and large-scale internet fraud targeting Nigerian systems.
The charges stemmed from unauthorised access to computer networks with malicious intent to disrupt the nation’s economic and social infrastructure.
One of the charges against Guo Qiang stated that he “wilfully caused to be accessed computer system for the purpose of destabilising and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria,” a violation of Section 18 of the Cybercrime Act, 2015, amended in 2024.
Initially, all five defendants pleaded not guilty. However, during Tuesday’s proceedings, they reversed their pleas and admitted guilt before the court.
This prompted the prosecution counsel, U.S. Kyari, to urge the court to convict the defendants accordingly.
Following their guilty pleas, the judge sentenced each of the Chinese nationals to one year imprisonment. In addition to the custodial sentences, each convict is to pay a fine of ₦1,000,000.
The court emphasised the gravity of their offences, especially given their deliberate interference in national cyber infrastructure.
Justice Dipeolu further directed that upon completion of their sentences, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service should ensure their deportation within seven days.
This decision is aimed at ensuring swift and decisive enforcement of legal and immigration consequences.
“This ruling sends a clear message to cybercriminals that Nigeria will not tolerate digital terrorism or foreign interference in its systems,” a court official commented after the judgement.
“Cybercrime poses a serious risk to national development, and this conviction is a positive step in safeguarding our digital environment.”
The EFCC also reiterated its resolve to intensify its operations against cyber syndicates, both domestic and international.
Officials confirmed that forensic analyses of seized devices and online transactions are still underway, and more prosecutions may follow.
The ‘Eagle Flush Operation’, which led to the arrest of the convicts, is part of an expanded EFCC crackdown on internet-based financial crimes.
The operation targeted criminal networks involved in fraudulent cryptocurrency investment schemes, identity theft, and romance scams aimed at deceiving vulnerable individuals across Nigeria.
The broader syndicate from which these five emerged reportedly operated sophisticated online platforms to lure Nigerians into fake investment deals and emotionally manipulative scams.
According to EFCC sources, the digital infrastructure used by the syndicate was designed to be nearly untraceable, posing a major investigative challenge.
Public reactions have been largely supportive of the court’s judgement. Civil society groups applauded the swift prosecution, calling for tougher regulations to shield Nigeria’s cyber space from international exploitation.
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Legal analysts say the amended Cybercrime Act of 2024 provided the necessary provisions for this landmark conviction. As digital crime evolves, the Nigerian judiciary and law enforcement ag
