Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos has convicted two Chinese, Huang Xiao Liang (a.k.a Liu Xiao Liang) and Shi Yang Xiong to one year imprisonment each, with a fine of N1 million.
Dipeolu also ordered that, upon completion of their sentences, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS0, should ensure that they are repatriated to their country of origin within seven days.
The judge also ordered the forfeiture of the items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
They are among the syndicate of 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested on December 19, 2024 in Lagos during a sting operation tagged ‘Eagle Flush Operation’ conducted by EFCC operatives.
The convicts were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
One of the charges reads: “That you, HUANG XIAO LIANG (a.k.a LIU XIAO LIANG) and GENTING INTERNATIONAL CO. Ltd., sometime in December, 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court , with intent to defraud, conspired amongst yourselves, caused to be accessed a computer system used for the purpose of destabilising and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 27 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition & Prevention ) Act 2015″.
They initially pleaded “not guilty” to the charges preferred against them. However, during Monday’s sitting, they changed their “not guilty pleas” to “guilty.”
In view of this, prosecution counsel, U.S. Kyari, prayed the court to convict them accordingly. Consequently, the Judge convicted and sentenced them as charged.
