The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned two Chinese nationals, Huang Haoyu and An Hongxu, along with a Nigerian, Audu Friday before Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The commission on Thursday, March 20, 2025, via it’s official X (formally Twitter) handle, said the foreigners face 11 charges related to cyber-terrorism, computer offenses, and money laundering, amounting to N3.4 billion and $2,562,203.
The commission said the defendants are part of a larger syndicate of 792 people arrested during an EFCC operation, named ‘Eagle Flush Operation’ on December 19, 2024.
The arrest was part of an investigation into their involvement in cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud.
Also, the commission revealed that the Nigerian, Friday had established Genting International Company Limited, at the behest of Huang Haoyu.
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The charges detail alleged conspiracies to manipulate computer systems to significantly impact Nigeria’s economic and social structures, while also recruiting Nigerian youths to impersonate foreign nationals for financial gain.
The defendants all pleaded not guilty, when the charges were read to them.
In light of their pleas, the prosecution requested a swift trial date, and sought to keep the defendants in EFCC custody.
However, the defense counsel requested that they remain in custody, pending a bail application.
Justice Osiagor ordered the defendants to be remanded in EFCC custody, and scheduled a hearing for the bail application.
