The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday arraigned 16 Chinese nationals before the Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged cybercrimes and attempts to destabilise Nigeria’s economic and social structure.
The suspects, identified as Hu Hui (A.K.A. A Bin), Liao Ri Xing (A.K.A. Li Jun), Li Qiang (A.K.A. Yang Huan Huan), A Wen, Da Tou, Cheng Jian, Cong Bing, Fei Fan, Huxi Heng, Zheng Wei (A.K.A. A Hong), Huang Zhi, Zhang Lei, Sun Zhi Peng, Huang Jin Hui, Wù Hao, and Lu Qiang, were brought before Justice Daniel Osiagor.
They were among the 792-member cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud syndicate arrested by EFCC operatives in Lagos on December 10, 2024, during a sting operation codenamed Eagle Flush Operation.
The EFCC arraigned the suspects on separate charges related to cybercrimes, cyberterrorism, identity theft, and possession of documents containing false pretenses.
According to the EFCC’s counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, Li Qiang (A.K.A. Yang Huan Huan) and Genting International Co. Ltd allegedly accessed a computer system in December 2024 with the intent to destabilise Nigeria’s economy and social structure.
The prosecution also accused Hu Xi Heng and Genting International Co. Ltd of similar offences, stating that they used fraudulent online identities to deceive victims.
The offences contravene Sections 18(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015 and Sections 6, 8(b), and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, No.14 of 2006.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Following their plea, the prosecution requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the accused persons in custody.
Justice Osiagor subsequently ordered their remand at a correctional facility and adjourned the case to June 23, 2025, for trial.
