Court Jails Two Chinese Nationals 46 Years Each for Cyber-Terrorism, N3.4bn Fraud in Lagos
Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, convicted and sentenced two Chinese nationals, Huang Haoyu and An Hongxu, to 46 years’ imprisonment each for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
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The convicts were arrested alongside one Friday Audu and hundreds of others during a surprise operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation” conducted by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on December 19, 2024, in Lagos. A total of 792 suspected fraudsters were apprehended over alleged involvement in cryptocurrency, investment and romance fraud schemes.
Investigations revealed that Audu allegedly incorporated Genting International Co. Ltd. on the directive of Huang Haoyu to facilitate the fraudulent activities. The defendants were found to have recruited and employed Nigerian youths to falsely pose as foreign nationals in order to defraud unsuspecting victims through online platforms.
The EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 arraigned the defendants, alongside Genting International Co. Ltd., on a seven-count charge bordering on cyber-terrorism, internet fraud and money laundering involving N3,407,824,740.78 and $2,562,203.
One of the charges stated that the defendants conspired to access and use computer systems in a manner capable of destabilising Nigeria’s economic and social structure, contrary to the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).
The defendants initially pleaded not guilty. However, at the resumed hearing, counsel to the first and third defendants informed the court of their decision to change their pleas to guilty. Upon re-arraignment, Huang Haoyu and An Hongxu pleaded guilty, while Friday Audu maintained his not guilty plea.
Following the guilty pleas, the prosecution, led by Bilikisu Bala-Buhari, urged the court to impose the maximum punishment and order the forfeiture of items recovered during investigations.
Recovered items from four properties in Victoria Island and Ikoyi included 1,596 mobile phones, 2,120 office chairs, 544 office tables, 194 routers, 43 computer systems, a network server, 126 air-conditioning units, generators, vehicles, hundreds of mattresses and bunk beds, and thousands of SIM cards, among other electronic devices.
In his judgment, Justice Osiagor sentenced Huang and Hongxu to a cumulative term of 46 years’ imprisonment each, with an option of a N56 million fine. The court also ordered them to undertake three days of community service and be repatriated after serving their sentences and completing the service.
The matter was adjourned to April 29, 2026, for the continuation of trial in respect of Friday Audu, who maintains his plea of not guilty.
Court Jails Two Chinese Nationals 46 Years Each for Cyber-Terrorism, N3.4bn Fraud in Lagos