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 cyberterrorism and internet fraud.
The convicts, alongside one Friday Audu, were among a syndicate of 792 suspected fraudsters arrested in Lagos on December 19, 2024, during a surprise sting operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation” by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a statement by the Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, investigations revealed that Audu allegedly incorporated Genting International Co. Ltd. on the directive of Huang Haoyu to facilitate the fraudulent scheme. The defendants were found to have procured and employed Nigerian youths to falsely represent themselves as foreign nationals to defraud unsuspecting victims through online platforms.
They were subsequently arraigned alongside the company, 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 counts stated that the defendants conspired in 2024 in Lagos to access computer systems in a manner that destabilised Nigeria’s economic and social structure, contrary to Section 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024), punishable under Section 18 of the same Act.
The defendants initially pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, at the resumed sitting on February 11, 2026, counsel to the first and third defendants, Bridget Omateno, informed the court of their intention to change their pleas.
Upon re-arraignment, Haoyu and Hongxu pleaded guilty to the charges, while Audu maintained his not guilty plea.
Following their guilty pleas, prosecution counsel Bilikisu Bala-Buhari reminded the court that two witnesses had already testified prior to the change of plea. She urged the court to impose the maximum punishment of life imprisonment on counts one to three and 14 years’ imprisonment on counts four to seven.
The prosecution further requested the forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria of all items recovered during investigation from four properties in Victoria Island and Ikoyi.
The 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, hundreds of mattresses and bunk beds, thousands of SIM cards across different networks, and numerous other electronic and household items.
Delivering judgment, Justice Osiagor sentenced both Haoyu and Hongxu to a cumulative term of 46 years’ imprisonment each, with an option of fine of N56 million.
The court also ordered that they undertake three days of community service and be repatriated upon completion of their sentences and community service.
The matter was adjourned to April 29, 2026, for the continuation of trial of Friday Audu, who maintained his plea of not guilty.
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