By Atoyebi Nike
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, has secured the conviction of nine Chinese nationals for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
The convicts 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 (aka Bu Fan) were sentenced by two Federal High Courts in Ikoyi, presided over by Justice Chukwuemeka Aneke and Justice Dehinde Dipeolu.
They were arraigned on separate charges under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).
One charge against Yang Chen Cheng stated he had used Nigerian youths for identity theft, posing as foreigners to destabilize Nigeria’s economic and social systems for personal gain.
All nine defendants pleaded guilty. Following their pleas, prosecution counsels M.K. Bashir, Babatunde Sonoiki, and B.M. Isha asked the court to convict them and order the forfeiture of all recovered items.
The court sentenced each convict to one year in prison and imposed a fine of N1 million. The judges also directed that upon completion of their jail terms, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) must ensure their deportation within seven days.
All items recovered during the investigation were ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.
