The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned nine Chinese nationals and Genting International Co. Ltd. before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over allegations of cybercrime, cyber-terrorism, and identity theft. The defendants, including Su Dong Fu, Zheng Xian Tao, Wang Shi Long, Pan Cai Qi, Ting Liao, Fan Jia, Feng Li Cani, Lu Yong Yao, and Yang Chen Cheng, were brought before Justice C.J. Aneke on Thursday, February 6, 2025.
These individuals were among the 792 suspects apprehended during the EFCC’s high-profile sting operation, codenamed “Eagle Flush Operation,” which targeted cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud syndicates in Lagos on December 10, 2024. Prosecutors allege that the accused were part of a sophisticated cyber network involved in fraudulent schemes aimed at destabilizing Nigeria’s economy and social structure.
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One of the charges against the defendants states that Zheng Xian Tao, also known as A Tao and Zhou Tao, alongside Genting International Co. Ltd., knowingly accessed computer systems in December 2024 with the intent to disrupt economic stability. This, according to the prosecution, violates Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024), as well as Section 2(3) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
All the defendants pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read in court. Following their pleas, prosecution counsel M.K. Bashir moved forward with legal proceedings.
