A Federal High Court in Lagos State, on Thursday, convicted and sentenced nine Chinese nationals to one year imprisonment each, for economic sabotage and financial terrorism.

The defendants, including two females, were also given a fine of one million naira each, by the court.

The defendants are: Xiang Hui, Hai Rong, Liu Gang, JI Geng, Li Dong, Huang Bo, Xhiong Zhen, Lai Feng and Deng Qiang

Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes commission (EFCC), on Dec.

10, 2024, invaded a building at Oyin Jolayemi area of Lagos, where over 700 people were arrested over cyber terrorism and economic sabotage.

On Thursday, EFCC counsel, Mr Nnemeka Omenwa, informed the court that the nine Chinese nationals  had opted for plea bargain.

Defence counsel, Mr Folarin Damela, also confirmed the position, and urged the court to accept the plea bargain agreement.

Consequently, the charge was read to the defendants, and they all pleaded guilty.

The defendants also admitted that they freely consented and signed the plea bargain agreement.

Following their guilty pleas, EFCC counsel urged the court to convict and sentence them in accordance with the plea bargain agreement.

Defence did not object to submission.

Justice Daniel Osiagor consequenly convicted and sentenced the defendants in line with the plea bargain agreement.

The court held that the prison term would take effect  from the Dec. 10, 2024.

The court also ordered that the Nigeria Immigration Service should repatriate the convicts to their country of origin upon completion of the prison term.

Osiagor also ordered that all items found on the convicts, including furnitures and  laptops, should  be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

According to EFCC, the convicts committed the offences on Dec. 10, 2024 within the court’s jurisidiction.

EFCC said that the convicts wilfully caused to be accessed, computer systems organised to destabilise and destroy the fundamental economic and social structure of Nigeria.

The commission added that the convicts employed Nigerian youths for identity theft and to hold themselves out as persons of foreign nationality, with the intent to gain financial advantages for themselves.

The offences contravene Sections 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention) Act of 2015 ass amended in 2024, and Section 2(3) (d) of the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022. (NAN)

An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Thursday sentenced a man, Francis Onwuzulike, to nine years six months imprisonment for sexually assaulting his neighbor’s son, a 13-year-old boy, (names withheld).

Justice Rahman Oshodi convicted and  sentenced Onwuzulike, following his plea bargain agreement to the amended three-count charge of indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault and indecent acts.

The convict was charged with sexual assault by penetration in which he had pleaded not guilty but a plea bargain was later reached by the parties.

The Prosecutor, Ms Bukola  Okeowo, bearing the burden of proof pursuant to Section 135(1) of the Evidence Act 2011, called one 13-year-old boy as witness, who was cross- examined by the Defence Counsel, Mr Olanrewaju Ajanaku.

The victim had testified that in July 2018, when he was 13 years of age, the convict, who was his neighbour at No. 13 Adesanya Street, Ketu, Mile 12, Lagos committed acts of sexual abuse against him on three separate occasions.

The boy had narrated that the convict would send him on errands, and upon his return, would lock his door before perpetrating acts of sexual violence.

The boy said that he would be positioned face-down on the convict’s bed, whereupon the convict would mount on him and insert his penis into his anus.

The boy said that the convict had threatened to kill him should he disclosed what happened to anyone.

The boy said the abuse came to light through the intervention of the convict’s younger brother, who witnessed one of the incidents and subsequently informed the boy’s mother.

During cross-examination, the victim revealed that he suffered from constipation and other health complications due to the abuse.

Oshodi, while delivering the judgment held  that he was satisfied that the convict knew  the nature of the offences he pleaded guilty to.

He said: “You stand before this court for sentencing, having pleaded guilty to indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, and indecent acts, contrary to sections 135, 263, and 134, respectively.

“Initially, you were charged with sexual assault by penetration, an offence which attracts life imprisonment as punishment. However, following negotiations between the prosecution and your counsel, a plea agreement was reached dated 27 May 2025.

“Under the current charges to which you have pleaded guilty and been convicted, the prescribed punishments are as follows: count one, indecent treatment of a child: seven years imprisonment; count two, sexual assault: three years imprisonment; and count three, indecent acts: two years’ imprisonment.

“I have carefully considered your plea of guilty, which demonstrates a degree of acceptance of responsibility. I have also considered the remarks you made during the sentencing proceedings, in which you expressed profound regret and made a compassionate plea for mercy.”

The court held that the convict had tendered a comprehensive bundle of certificates obtained whilst in custody in support of his plea.

According to the judge, the certificates, 10 in number, demonstrate remarkable dedication to self-improvement and rehabilitation during the convict’s period of incarceration.

“The demonstrated commitment to personal transformation and the tangible evidence of rehabilitation justify a reduction of 20 per cent from the agreed sentence of 12 years, amounting to a decrease of two years and four months.

Accordingly, you are hereby sentenced to nine years and six months’ imprisonment, which sentence shall commence from the date of your remand on Sept. 12, 2018.

“Furthermore, under sections 33 and 38 of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law of Lagos State 2021, you shall be registered as a sex offender,” Oshodi said. (NAN)

An Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, on Thursday, ordered the remand of 10 persons in a correctional facility over alleged armed robbery and murder.

The defendants include Sheriff Lawal, 27, Lawal Bashit, 23, Oyewale Sodiq, 30, Akeem Ogunyemi, 41, and Kazeem Afolayan, 40.

Others are Akeem Raji, 37, Olabode Hammed, 25, Yusuf Lekan, 26, Ayomide John, 23 and Samuel Okezie, 32.

They are facing a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery and murder.

The Magistrate, Mrs Gladys Oladele, did not take the plea of the defendants for want of jurisdiction.

She directed the police to return the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution for legal advice.

She adjourned the case until July 21 for mention.

The Prosecutor, Sgt. Samuel Owolabi, told the court that the defendants committed the offences on May 15, at about 9.30 p.m, at Oak Hotel, around Moniya, Ibadan.

Owolabi said the defendants robbed one Shuaibu Adam of the sum of N100, 000, while armed with sticks and cutlasses.

He said the defendants also unlawfully caused the death of one Abdul Isah, 23, by beating him with sticks and inflicted injury all over Adam’s body.

He said the offences contravened Sections 516 and 319 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000. (NAN)