Court Convicts 8 Chinese Nationals For Cyberterrorism, Internet Fraud In Lagos

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, secured the conviction of five Chinese nationals for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud. The verdict was delivered by Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The convicted individuals are Guo Qiang (also known as Wu You You), Yang Shumei, Guo Zhi Yong, Zhang Gia Feng, and Lu Yi Liang. They were among 792 suspects arrested during a massive sting operation by the EFCC on December 19, 2024, codenamed Eagle Flush Operation, which targeted a syndicate involved in cryptocurrency investment scams and romance fraud.

Each defendant faced separate charges related to cyber-terrorism and online fraud. One of the charges against Guo Qiang read:
“That you, Guo Qiang (aka Wu You You), sometime in December 2024, at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, willfully accessed a computer system with the intent to destabilize and destroy the economy and social structure of Nigeria, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).”

Initially, the suspects pleaded not guilty. However, during Tuesday’s proceedings, all five changed their pleas to guilty.

Following the change in plea, the prosecution counsel, U.S. Kyari, urged the court to convict them accordingly. Justice Dipeolu sentenced each defendant to one year imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₦1,000,000 (One Million Naira) on each of them.

The court also ordered the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to ensure the convicts are deported to China within seven days of completing their prison terms.