Nigeria To Deport 14 Chinese Nationals Convicted Of Cyberterrorism In Landmark Ruling.
A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced 14 Chinese nationals to one year in prison for cyberterrorism and internet fraud, with orders for their deportation to China within seven days of completing their sentences or paying a fine. The convictions, secured by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, mark a significant step in Nigeria’s crackdown on transnational cybercrime.
The convicted individuals, identified as 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, were arrested on 19 December 2024 during a major sting operation dubbed “Eagle Flush” in Lagos. The EFCC alleged that the group operated a sophisticated cybercrime syndicate, using advanced technology and social engineering to perpetrate online scams, identity theft, and digital espionage targeting individuals and institutions globally.
The court, presided over by Justice Daniel Osiagor, heard that the defendants deliberately accessed computer systems to destabilise Nigeria’s economy and social structure, an offence under Section 18 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024). One charge against Su Zong Gen stated: “That you, Su Zong Gen, sometime in December 2024 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, willfully caused to be accessed a computer system for the purpose of destabilizing and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria.”
Initially pleading not guilty, the defendants changed their pleas to guilty during Friday’s proceedings, following a plea bargain agreement with the EFCC. Prosecution counsel T.J. Banjo and M.S. Owede urged the court to convict accordingly, with no opposition from the defence. Justice Osiagor sentenced each to one year in prison, with the option of a ₦1 million (£600) fine, and ordered the forfeiture of seized items, including mobile phones, laptops, and routers, to the Nigerian government. The court further directed the Nigeria Immigration Service to deport the convicts within seven days of fulfilling their sentences.
The EFCC described the syndicate as part of a larger network of 792 suspects arrested during the December raid, which targeted cryptocurrency investment scams and romance frauds. The agency highlighted how the group recruited young Nigerians, exploiting their computer skills for illicit activities. One Nigerian witness testified to being recruited via WhatsApp, paid ₦250,000 (£150) monthly, and restricted from leaving the syndicate’s premises, underscoring the coercive nature of the operation.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede stated: “This conviction sends a clear message that Nigeria will not tolerate cyberterrorism or fraud, regardless of nationality. We are committed to protecting our digital and economic infrastructure.” The case has drawn diplomatic attention, with China’s ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, previously expressing regret over similar arrests and proposing collaboration with Nigerian authorities to address cybercrime by Chinese nationals.
The ruling follows a series of convictions of foreign nationals in Nigeria, including 17 Chinese and eight Filipinos sentenced earlier this month for similar offences. Nigeria, which loses an estimated $800 million annually to cybercrime, ranks fifth globally in the 2024 World Cybercrime Index, highlighting the urgency of its efforts to combat digital fraud.
As Nigeria strengthens its position as a regional tech hub, the EFCC’s aggressive stance against transnational cybercrime underscores its commitment to safeguarding its digital economy. The deportation order reflects Nigeria’s resolve to hold foreign nationals accountable while addressing the growing challenge of cyberterrorism within its borders.
