Eighteen Chinese nationals have been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate for cyber-terrorism, internet fraud, and identity theft.
The suspects were arraigned on Thursday before Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The accused individuals—Huang Bo, Xiong Zhen, Lai Rui Feng, Deng Wei Qiang, Fu Min, Qin Xiao Yong, Li Dong, Li De Wen, Luo Mao Yang, Zhao Xiao Hui, Du Ji Feng, Liu Hai Rong, Liu Ni Ni, Liu Gang, Sun Qi, Zhang Jian, Peng Fa Li, and Huo Wen Jie—were among the 792 suspects arrested in Lagos on December 10, 2024, during an EFCC sting operation dubbed ‘Eagle Flush Operation’.
The defendants face multiple charges, including cybercrime, cyber-terrorism, possession of fraudulent documents, and identity theft.
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The prosecution alleges that the defendants in December 2024, in Lagos, accessed computer systems for the purpose of destabilizing and destroying the economic, and social structure of Nigeria, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) (b), and punishable under Section 18 (1) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015.
All 18 defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read in court.
Following their pleas, the EFCC prosecutor, Nnaemeka Omewa, requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendants in custody.
Justice Osiagor granted the prosecution’s request, adjourning the trial to May 5, 2025, and ordering that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility until the trial date.
