Lagos, Nigeria – June 6, 2025 | Dayo Olusola
A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced nine Chinese nationals to one year imprisonment each for operating a transnational cybercrime and illegal mining syndicate.
Justice Daniel Osiagor imposed ₦1 million fines per convict and ordered their deportation to China after serving prison terms.
The convicted individuals — Zhao Xiang Hui (alleged ringleader), Liu Hai Rong (recruitment coordinator), Liu Gang (tech operations), Du Ji Geng, Li Dong, Huang Bo, Xhiong Zhen, Lai Rui Feng, and Deng Wei Qiang — pleaded guilty to identity theft and financial terrorism charges under Section 18 of Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act and Section 2(3)(d) of the Terrorism Prevention Act.
Their arrest occurred on December 10, 2024, during an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) raid at 24 Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island.
Prosecutors confirmed the seizure of 24 smartphones, 17 laptops, and forged mining permits during the operation.
EFCC counsel Nnemeka Omewa stated the group “recruited Nigerian youths to defraud elderly European victims.” Defense lawyer Folarin Damela did not contest the plea agreement. Justice Osiagor backdated sentences to the arrest date and ordered all seized assets forfeited.
The Nigerian Immigration Service will handle deportations. Case records are filed under FHC/L/CS/256/2025 (court) and EFCC CR/430/2024.
(Sources: Federal High Court Case FHC/L/CS/256/2025; EFCC File CR/430/2024)
