The Lagos Division of the Federal High Court on Thursday convicted and sentenced nine Chinese nationals to one year imprisonment each for economic sabotage and financial terrorism.

The defendants, including two females, were also given a fine of one million naira each by the court.

The defendants are Xiang Hui, Hai Rong, Liu Gang, Ji Geng, Li Dong, Huang Bo, Xiong Zhen, Lai Feng, and Deng Qiang.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on December 10, 2024, invaded a building in the Oyin Jolayemi area of Lagos, where over 700 people were arrested over cyber-terrorism and economic sabotage.

On Thursday, EFCC counsel Nnemeka Omenwa informed the court that the nine Chinese nationals had opted for a plea bargain.

Defence counsel Folarin Damela also confirmed the position and urged the court to accept the plea bargain agreement.

Consequently, the charge was read to the defendants, and they all pleaded guilty.

The defendants also admitted that they freely consented and signed the plea bargain agreement.

Following their guilty pleas, EFCC counsel urged the court to convict and sentence them in accordance with 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 December 10, 2024.

The court also ordered that the Nigeria Immigration Service should repatriate the convicts to their country of origin upon completion of the prison term.

Mr Osiagor also ordered that all items found on the convicts, including furniture and laptops, should be forfeited to the federal government.

According to EFCC, the convicts committed the offences on December 10, 2024, within the court’s jurisdiction.

EFCC said the convicts wilfully caused to be accessed computer systems organised to destabilise and destroy the fundamental economic and social structure of Nigeria.

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 ass amended in 2024, and Section 2(3) (d) of the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022.

(NAN)