The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, February 6, arraigned nine Chinese nationals.
Furthermore, a company, Genting International Co. Ltd., before Justice C.J. Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, was also arraigned.
The defendants, identified as Su D0ng 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 part of a syndicate of 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested during a surprise EFCC operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation” on December 10, 2024, in Lagos.They were arraigned on separate charges, including cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, possession of fraudulent documents, and identity theft.
One of the charges against them reads:
“That you, ZENG XIAN TAO (AKA A TAO AND ZHOU TAO) AND GENTING INTERNATIONAL CO. LIMITED, sometime in December 2024 at Lagos, Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, willfully caused to be accessed, computer systems used for the purpose of destabilizing and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as Amended, 2024) and Section 2(3) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Defendants plead not guilty
When the charges were read, all nine defendants pleaded “not guilty.”
The EFCC’s prosecution counsel, M.K. Bashir, requested trial dates and urged the court to remand the defendants in the correctional facility pending trial.
Justice C.J. Aneke adjourned the case until February 21 and March 7, 2025, for trial. Meanwhile, the defendants were ordered to be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
EFCC speaks on the case
Following the arraignment, an EFCC spokesperson, who requested anonymity, said,
“This case is a testament to our relentless fight against cybercrimes and illicit financial activities. We are committed to ensuring that those who exploit digital platforms to defraud innocent victims are brought to justice.”
The EFCC urged Nigerians to remain vigilant against fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes and romance scams that continue to target unsuspecting individuals.
