A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced nine Chinese nationals to one year imprisonment for their involvement in a Ponzi-terrorism scheme uncovered in Victoria Island, Lagos, in December 2024. The convicts, identified as Qin Xiao Yong, Luo Mao Yang, Liu Ni Ni, Liu Gang, Sun Qi (also known as Wan Jin Ping), Zhang Juan, Li De Wen, Fun Min, and Tan Ming, were found guilty of cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
The court, presided over by Justice Daniel Osiagor, ordered the forfeiture of all electronic gadgets recovered from the defendants during the investigation. Each convict was also fined N1 million. Furthermore, Justice Osiagor directed the Nigerian Immigration Service to deport the nine Chinese nationals within seven days of completing their respective jail terms.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned the defendants on a one-count charge bordering on cyber-terrorism and internet fraud. After they changed their plea, prosecution counsel R.A. Abdulrasheed urged the court to convict them. The defendants’ counsel, Folarin Dalmeida and Abdulkadir Wodi, confirmed the plea bargain agreement and urged the court to adopt the terms as the judgment.
The court’s decision marks a significant step in Nigeria’s fight against cybercrime and terrorism financing. The EFCC’s efforts in investigating and prosecuting the case have yielded results, serving as a deterrent to others involved in similar activities.
