A Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday convicted and sentenced seven Chinese nationals to one year imprisonment each for their involvement in cyberterrorism and internet fraud linked to a massive Ponzi scheme uncovered in December 2024.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) separately arraigned several defendants before Justice Ayokunle Faji, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, and Justice Yellim Bogoro on charges related to cyberterrorism and internet fraud.
During the proceedings, EFCC prosecutors Bilkisu Buhari-Bala, Chineye Okezie, and Banjo Temitope informed the court that the defendants had entered into plea bargain agreements, which were filed on June 20, 2025.
Upon arraignment, all defendants pleaded guilty and confirmed that their decision to accept the plea deals was voluntary.
As a result, the court convicted and sentenced each defendant to one year in prison, along with a fine of ₦1,000,000 (One Million Naira).
The court further directed that, following the completion of their jail terms, the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) must deport them to their home countries within seven days.
The convicted individuals — Peng Li Huan, Zhang Jin Rong, He Kun, Rachelle Cabalona, Caselyn Pionela, Guo Long Long, and Zhang Hua Zhai — were among over 700 suspects arrested during an EFCC raid on a property located on Oyin Jolayemi Street, Lagos.
Each defendant was charged by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC with a single amended count of cyberterrorism and internet fraud.
According to the amended charge, the convicts had, in December 2024, “willfully accessed computer systems with the intent to destabilize and damage Nigeria’s economic and social fabric by recruiting local youths to engage in identity theft and impersonate foreign nationals for financial gain.”
Their actions were deemed in violation of Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024) and Section 2(3)(d) of the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022.
