Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday convicted and sentenced two Chinese nationals, Huang Haoyu and An Hongxu, to 46 years’ imprisonment each for cyberterrorism, internet fraud and related financial crimes amounting to over N3.4 billion and $2.5 million.
The conviction followed their arraignment by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a seven-count charge bordering on cyberterrorism, internet fraud and money laundering.
The duo, alongside one Friday Audu and Genting International Co. Ltd., were among 792 suspects arrested on December 19, 2024, during a surprise enforcement exercise tagged “Eagle Flush Operation” in Lagos.
According to the EFCC, investigations revealed that Audu incorporated Genting International Co. Ltd. at the directive of Huang Haoyu to facilitate a large-scale cryptocurrency, investment and romance fraud scheme.
Prosecutors told the court that the defendants procured and employed Nigerian youths to impersonate foreign nationals on online platforms to defraud unsuspecting victims across jurisdictions.
The charges stated that the defendants conspired to willfully access and manipulate computer systems in a manner capable of destabilising Nigeria’s economic and social structure, contrary to Section 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024), and punishable under Section 18 of the same Act.
Initially, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, at Wednesday’s proceedings, counsel to the first and third defendants, Bridget Omateno, informed the court that her clients wished to change their pleas.
When the charges were re-read, Haoyu and Hongxu pleaded guilty, while Audu maintained his earlier plea of not guilty.
Following the change of plea, prosecution counsel, Bilikisu Bala-Buhari, urged the court to impose life imprisonment on counts one to three and 14 years’ imprisonment on counts four to seven.
She also requested the forfeiture of all items recovered during investigations to the Federal Government.
The court heard that investigators recovered 1,596 mobile phones, 2,120 office chairs, 544 office tables, 194 routers, 43 computer systems, a network server, 126 air-conditioning units, generators, vehicles, hundreds of mattresses and bunk beds, thousands of SIM cards across various networks, and other electronic devices.
The items were seized from four properties located at No. 7 Oyin Jolayemi Street and Plot 1220 Bishop Oluwole Street, both in Victoria Island; 54A A.J. Marinho Drive, Victoria Island; and No. 14A Modupe Alakija Crescent, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Delivering judgment, Justice Osiagor sentenced the two convicts to a cumulative term of 46 years’ imprisonment each, with an option of fine of N56 million.
The court further ordered that they undertake three days of community service and be repatriated to their home country upon completion of their prison terms and community service.
The trial of Friday Audu was adjourned until April 29, 2026, for continuation, as he maintains his plea of not guilty.