NAN
AFederal High Court in Lagos State, on Thursday, convicted and sentenced nine Chinese nationals to one year imprisonment each for economic sabotage and financial terrorism.
The court also fined the defendants, including two females, one million naira each.
The defendants are Xiang Hui, Hai Rong, Liu Gang, JI Geng, Li Dong, Huang Bo, Xhiong Zhen, Lai Feng, and Deng Qiang.
Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Dec. 10, 2024, invaded a building in the Oyin Jolayemi area of Lagos, where it arrested 700 people over cyber-terrorism and economic sabotage.
On Thursday, EFCC counsel Mr Nnemeka Omenwa informed the court that the nine Chinese nationals had opted for a plea bargain.
Defence counsel, Mr Folarin Damela, also confirmed the position and urged the court to accept the plea bargain agreement.
Consequently, the court read the charge to the defendants, who pleaded guilty.
The defendants also admitted that they freely consented and signed the plea bargain agreement.
Following their guilty pleas, the EFCC counsel urged the court to convict and sentence them according to the plea bargain agreement. Defence did not object to submission.
Justice Daniel Osiagor consequently convicted and sentenced the defendants in line with the plea bargain agreement. The court held that the prison term would take effect from Dec. 10, 2024.
The court also ordered that the Nigerian Immigration Service repatriate the convicts to their country of origin when they complete their prison terms.
Osiagor also ordered that all items found on the convicts, including furniture and laptops, be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
According to EFCC, the convicts committed the offences on Dec. 10, 2024, within the court’s jurisdiction.
The commission added that the convicts employed Nigerian youths for identity theft and to hold themselves out as persons of foreign nationality, with the intent to gain financial advantages for themselves.
The offences contravene Sections 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act of 2015, as amended in 2024 and Section 2(3) (d) of the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022.
