Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court 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 cyberterrorism and internet fraud.
In a statement, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said the convicts, alongside one Friday Audu, were among a syndicate of 792 suspected fraudsters arrested on December 19, 2024, during a surprise operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation” in Lagos. The suspects were allegedly involved in cryptocurrency, investment, and romance fraud.
According to the EFCC, investigations revealed that Audu allegedly incorporated Genting International Co. Ltd. at the directive of Huang Haoyu to facilitate the fraudulent scheme. The defendants were said to have procured and employed Nigerian youths to falsely pose as foreign nationals to defraud unsuspecting victims through online platforms.
They were arraigned alongside Genting International Co. Ltd. by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC on a seven-count charge bordering on cyberterrorism, internet fraud, and money laundering involving N3,407,824,740.78 and $2,562,203.
One of the charges stated that the defendants conspired in 2024 to access computer systems with the intent to destabilise Nigeria’s economic and social structure by recruiting youths to impersonate foreign nationals for financial gain, contrary to the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).
The defendants initially pleaded not guilty. However, at the resumed hearing on February 11, 2026, counsel to the first and third defendants, Bridget Omateno, informed the court of their decision to change their pleas to guilty. Upon re-arraignment, Haoyu and Hongxu pleaded guilty, while Audu maintained his not guilty plea.
Following the guilty pleas, prosecution counsel Bilikisu Bala-Buhari urged the court to impose the maximum punishment, including life imprisonment on counts one to three and 14 years on counts four to seven. She also sought forfeiture of all items recovered during the investigation to the Federal Government.
Recovered items 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, mattresses, bunk beds, thousands of SIM cards, and other electronic devices. The items were seized from properties in Victoria Island and Ikoyi, Lagos.
Delivering judgment, Justice Osiagor sentenced Haoyu and Hongxu to a cumulative 46 years’ imprisonment each, with an option of a N56 million fine. The court also ordered that they undertake three days of community service and be repatriated after serving their sentences and completing the service.
The case was adjourned until April 29, 2026, for the continuation of trial of Friday Audu, who maintains his innocence.