Two Federal High Courts sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos have convicted and sentenced nine Chinese nationals to prison for cyberterrorism and internet fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, secured the convictions before Justices Chukwuemeka Aneke and Dehinde Dipeolu.
The convicts are Deng Wen Quang, Lin Jin, Shi Yang Xiong, Lu Yong Yao, Yang Chen Cheng, Feng Li Cai, Li Niue, Li Kuang Kuang, and Dan Jia, also known as Bu Fan.
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They were arraigned on separate charges relating to cyberterrorism and internet fraud.
One of the charges revealed that the group, through the use of Nigerian youths, engaged in identity theft schemes and posed as foreign nationals to undermine Nigeria’s economic and social structures.
These actions were described as being intended to seriously destabilise the country.
The suspects pleaded guilty to all charges when they were read in court.
Following their pleas, EFCC prosecutors M.K. Bashir, Babatunde Sonoiki, and B.M. Isha urged the court to convict the defendants and order the forfeiture of all items recovered from them.
Both judges found the accused guilty and sentenced each to one year in prison, with an option of a ₦1 million fine.
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The court also directed that all recovered items be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Additionally, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service was ordered to ensure their deportation within seven days of completing their sentences.
