Chinese Nationals Jailed in Lagos for Cyberterrorism, Set for Deportation

DDM News

Two Chinese nationals have been convicted and sentenced by a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, for cyberterrorism and internet fraud.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the convicts, identified as Huang Xiao Liang (also known as Liu Xiao Liang) and Shi Yang Xiong, were apprehended during a massive sting operation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The operation, codenamed “Eagle Flush Operation,” was launched in December 2024 and targeted cryptocurrency investment and online romance scam syndicates operating in Lagos.

Out of 792 suspects arrested in the operation, the two Chinese nationals were singled out and prosecuted by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC.

Justice Dehinde Dipeolu presided over the case, where both men were arraigned on multiple cybercrime-related charges.

The charges included conspiracy to defraud, unlawful access to computer systems, and attempts to destabilise Nigeria’s economy and social structure.

One charge specifically stated that the accused accessed a computer system used “for the purpose of destabilising and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria.”

Initially, both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

However, during court proceedings on Monday, the defendants changed their pleas to guilty.

Following this development, the EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, U.S. Kyari, urged the court to deliver a conviction in accordance with Nigerian cybercrime laws.

Justice Dipeolu then sentenced each of the accused to one year in prison.

The court also imposed a fine of ₦1,000,000 on each convict.

In addition, all electronic devices and items recovered from the convicts were ordered to be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Justice Dipeolu further instructed the Nigeria Immigration Service to repatriate the convicts to China within seven days after serving their prison terms.

The case has stirred concern over the increasing involvement of foreign nationals in Nigeria’s cybercrime landscape.

Analysts say the case highlights vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s financial and digital ecosystems, particularly in Lagos, which remains a hub for tech-driven activity.

The EFCC’s “Eagle Flush Operation” is one of the largest digital crime crackdowns in recent Nigerian history, with dozens of ongoing prosecutions still pending.

Cybersecurity experts believe that the crackdown signals a new phase in the country’s war against cross-border financial crimes.

The EFCC has since issued warnings to both local and international fraud syndicates, reiterating its zero-tolerance stance on cybercrime.

The Commission also called for increased cooperation with international cybercrime units to track and disrupt criminal networks operating across borders.

Meanwhile, human rights advocates have urged Nigerian authorities to ensure due process is maintained, even in high-profile cases involving foreigners.

Nigeria’s Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention) Act of 2015 has come under renewed scrutiny, as legal experts push for updates that address emerging technologies and international criminal collaboration.

The case also brings to the fore Nigeria’s fragile diplomatic posture, as public interest grows over how Chinese authorities might respond to the sentencing and repatriation of their nationals.

While EFCC officials commended the court’s decision as a victory for Nigeria’s digital integrity, they also warned that more syndicates remain active and require sustained intelligence and inter-agency collaboration.

As Lagos continues to evolve as a tech hub, cybersecurity has become a national priority for law enforcement, regulatory bodies, and citizens alike.

The conviction of Huang and Shi serves as a landmark in Nigeria’s struggle to restore public confidence in digital transactions and border security.

More updates are expected as additional suspects from the “Eagle Flush Operation” face trial in the coming months.

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