The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned 17 Chinese nationals and a company, Genting International Company Limited, before two Federal High Court judges in Lagos, over allegations of cyber-terrorism, internet fraud, and identity theft.
The suspects were arraigned on February 21, 2025, before Justices Musa Kakaki and Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, respectively.
They are among the 792 individuals arrested during the EFCC’s sting operation, codenamed ‘Eagle Flush Operation,’ which targeted crypto-currency investment and romance fraud suspects on December 10, 2024.
The accused individuals include, Mao Bu Yi, Li Xiang Long, Dai Li, Yu Hai Qing, Jia Yang, Jia Zhi, Hao Tao Kun, Liu Chuang, Zhao Xiao Liang, Ziao Zi Cheng, Zhang San Feng, Li Zhong Chan, Chen Gui Ping, Su Jan Fu, Su Zong Gen, Wang Jie, and Zeng Zerong.
The suspects faced separate charges related to cybercrime, cyber-terrorism, identity theft, and possession of fraudulent documents.
One of the charges against Mao Bu Yi states: “That you, Mao Bu Yi, and Genting International Company Limited, sometime in December 2024 in Lagos, willfully accessed a computer system with the intent to destabilize and destroy Nigeria’s economy and social structure, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended), 2024.”
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Similarly, Wang Jie, also known as Xu Zhong Xiang, was charged with employing Nigerian youths for identity theft and other cyber-related fraud between November 29 and December 10, 2024.
The defendants all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Prosecuting counsel M.S. Owede, T.J. Banjo, A.C. Olowonihi, and N.C. Mutfwang, requested trial dates and asked for the defendants to be remanded in custody.
Justice Kakaki adjourned the trial of Wang Jie and Zeng Zerong to March 20, 2025, while Justice Osiagor scheduled the trial of the remaining 15 suspects for June 11, 2025.
The defendants have been remanded in a correctional facility pending trial.
