Manny Ita –
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced two Chinese nationals to a combined 46 years in prison for their roles in a sophisticated international cyberterrorism and internet fraud network that defrauded victims of over N3.4 billion and $2.5 million. The landmark judgment, delivered on Thursday, February 12, 2026, followed a rigorous prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which tracked the duo’s activities across multiple digital jurisdictions. The convicts, identified as Wang Zilong and Li Zejun, were found guilty on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, identity theft, and money laundering.
Presiding Judge, Justice Binta Nyako, while delivering the sentence, emphasized the severity of the crimes and their devastating impact on Nigeria’s digital reputation and economic stability. “The evidence presented before this court clearly demonstrates a calculated and cold-blooded attempt to undermine the financial security of individuals and corporate entities through the use of advanced technology,” the Judge remarked. Justice Nyako sentenced each convict to 23 years of imprisonment, totaling 46 years, and ordered that the jail terms run concurrently, with no option of a fine for the primary counts.
The EFCC’s investigation revealed that the defendants operated a “corporate-style” syndicate in Lagos and Abuja, where they recruited and trained local youths to conduct massive “pig butchering” scams and cryptocurrency investment fraud. According to the prosecution team, the convicts used specialized software to mask their identities while funneling stolen assets through offshore accounts. “These individuals did not just commit fraud; they engaged in what can only be described as cyberterrorism against the Nigerian financial system,” lead EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Iseoluwa, stated during the final submission. “This sentence serves as a loud and clear message that Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for international cybercriminal syndicates.”
The court further ordered the final forfeiture of the recovered $2.5 million and the N3.4 billion held in several dormant bank accounts back to the Federal Government of Nigeria for the purpose of restitution to the identified victims. Additionally, the high-end electronics, servers, and luxury vehicles seized during the December raids on their operational bases were ordered to be auctioned. Following the completion of their jail terms, the court mandated that both Zilong and Zejun be immediately deported to their home country and permanently barred from re-entering Nigeria.
