29 Chinese nationals, others remanded in Ikoyi, Kirikiri for internet fraud
A total of 42 individuals, including 29 Chinese nationals, 10 Filipinos, and three others, have been remanded at the Ikoyi and Kirikiri Correctional Centres in Lagos State.
These individuals were brought before Federal High Courts in Ikoyi on Monday.
The suspects, comprising one Malaysian, one Indonesian, and one Pakistani, were arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged involvement in cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud. They were part of a group of 792 individuals arrested during an EFCC operation called “Eagle Flush” on December 19, 2024, in Lagos.
The accused, along with a company, Genting International Company Limited, faced charges in front of Justices Ayokunle Faji, D.I. Dipeolu, Alexander Owoeye, and C.J. Aneke. The charges include cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, impersonation, possession of fraudulent documents, and identity theft.
Among the suspects are Zhang Zhai, Chen Xin, Li Peng, Guo Long, Ren Wen, Zhang Jian, Zhao Bin, Zhang Yang, Wang Chenge, Khurram Shanzad, Tan Kar, An Hongxu, Shitou Shizilong, Pan Jiong, and others.
One of the charges states, “That you, Zhang Hua Zhai and Genting International Co. Limited, on or about December 18, 2024, in Lagos, accessed computer systems with the intent to destabilize Nigeria’s constitutional structure by recruiting Nigerian youths for identity theft and to impersonate foreign nationals for financial gain, thereby violating the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).”
Another count accuses Viera Dela Cruz (aka Nina Viera Gonzal) and Genting International Co. Ltd. of committing similar offences involving identity theft and cybercrime.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following this, prosecution lawyers requested trial dates and asked for the defendants to remain in custody.
Justice Faji scheduled hearings for February 10, 11, 17, 18, and 19, 2025; Justice Dipeolu set dates for February 7, 15, 21, 24, and 28, 2025; Justice Owoeye scheduled hearings for February 20, 21, 24, 28, and March 18, 2025; and Justice Aneke adjourned the case until March 7, 2025.
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