RismadarVoice Reporters
February 11, 2026
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 were arrested alongside Friday Audu, hundreds of others during a surprise operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation” carried out by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on December 19, 2024, in Lagos. The operation led to the arrest of 792 suspected fraudsters allegedly involved 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 operations.
The defendants were accused of procuring and employing Nigerian youths to falsely represent themselves 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 to access computer systems in a manner designed to destabilize Nigeria’s economic, social structure, contrary to Section 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024), and punishable under Section 18 of the same Act.
The defendants initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.
However, at the resumed hearing on February 11, 2026, counsel to the first and third defendants, Bridget Omateno, informed the court of their intention to change their pleas. When the charges were re-read, Huang Haoyu and An Hongxu pleaded guilty, while Audu maintained his not guilty plea.
Following their guilty pleas, prosecution counsel, Bilikisu Bala-Buhari, 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. She also requested the forfeiture of all items recovered during investigations to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Items recovered 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, mattresses, bunk beds, thousands of SIM cards and other electronic devices.
Delivering judgment, Justice Osiagor sentenced the two Chinese nationals to a cumulative term of 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 community service.
The case was adjourned until April 29, 2026, for the continuation of trial of Friday Audu, who maintained his plea of not guilty.
