14 Chinese were found guilty and convicted on Friday for cyberterrorism and Internet fraud by a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the suspects were part of 792 members of a cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud syndicate arrested in Lagos on December 19, 2024.
During Friday's court sessions, the defendants changed their initial not guilty plea to guilty.
The presiding judge, Justice Osiagor, sentenced them to 1 year in prison with the option of a N1 million fine for each convicted individual.
The court further ordered that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) deport the convicted individuals to China within 7 days of the conclusion of their sentence or the payment of the fine.
The court also mandated that all items seized during the arrest should be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The convicted Chinese are: 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 and Zhao Xiao Liang.