Shock Verdict: 14 Chinese Nationals Convicted for Supporting Terror in Nigeria

On Friday, a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, found and punished 14 Chinese nationals for their roles in Internet fraud and cyberterrorism.
The men were members of a cybercrime network that was dismantled on December 19, 2024, during a sting operation in Lagos, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The anti-corruption agency said in a statement posted on its 𝕏 account that these 14 people were among 792 suspects arrested for alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance schemes targeting Nigerians.

They were presented to Justice Daniel Osiagor on separate counts of Internet fraud and cyberterrorism.
Su Zong Gen was charged with purposefully accessing a computer system in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, in December 2024 with the objective of undermining and destabilizing Nigeria’s social structure and economy.

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At the beginning of Friday’s proceedings, the defendants entered a not guilty plea, but then altered it to guilty.

Defendants did not dispute the application, but prosecution attorneys T.J. Banjo and M.S. Owede urged the court to convict the defendants accordingly.

Each of the convicted individuals was reportedly given a one-year prison sentence by Justice Osiagor, along with the opportunity to pay a N1 million fine.

The Nigerian Immigration Service was also ordered by the court to deport the convicted individuals to China within seven days of the conclusion of their sentence or payment of the fine.

Every item that was taken from the prisoners at the moment of their arrest was mandated to be turned over to the federal government.

The following Chinese citizens have been found guilty: Zhao Xiao Liang, Dai Li, Tao Kun, Mao Bu Yi, Zhao Zi Cheng, 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,.