A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced nine Chinese nationals to one year imprisonment each for economic sabotage and financial terrorism.
The convicts, including two women, were also fined N1 million apiece.
Justice Daniel Osiagor handed down the sentence after the defendants entered a guilty plea as part of a plea bargain agreement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The convicts, Zhao Xiang Hui, Liu Hai Rong, Liu Gang, Du Ji Geng, Li Dong, Huang Bo, Xhiong Zhen, Lai Rui Feng, and Deng Wei Qiang, were arrested on December 10, 2024, during a major EFCC raid on a building in Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The operation led to the arrest of over 700 suspects allegedly involved in cyber-related offences.
Prosecuting counsel, Nnemeka Omewa, told the court that the EFCC had reviewed and approved the plea deal.
On its part, the defence, through its lawyer, affirmed the arrangement and urged the court to adopt it.
Justice Osiagor read the amended one-count charge, which accused the defendants of accessing computer systems with the intent to destabilise Nigeria’s economic and social infrastructure.
The charge also alleged that they recruited Nigerian youths for identity theft and impersonation schemes aimed at financial gain.
After accepting their guilty plea, the judge ruled that the prison terms would begin from December 10, 2024, the day of their arrest.
He also ordered the forfeiture of all items recovered from the convicts, including laptops, furniture, and other digital devices, to the Federal Government.
Upon completion of their sentences, the Nigerian Immigration Service is to repatriate the convicts to China, the court ruled.
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