NEWS: 16 MORE CHINESE ARRAIGNED FOR ALLEGED CYBER-TERRORISM, INTERNET FRAUD
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16 more Chinese have been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
On Tuesday, they appeared before Justice Daniel Osiagor for arraignment on charges of cyberterrorism and internet fraud aimed at destabilizing the Nigerian economy.
As per the charge sheets, the defendants are Huang Zhi, Zhang Lei, Sun Zhi Peng, Huang Jin Hui, Wù Hao, Lu Qiang, A Wen, Da Tou, Cheng Jian, Cong Bing, Fei Fan, Huxi Heng, Zheng Wei (a. k. a. A Hong), Liao Ri Xing (a. k. a. Li Jun), Li Qiang (a. k. a. Yang Huan Huan), and Hu Hui (a. k. a. A Bin).
They are among the 792-member cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested on December 10, 2024, in Lagos, in a sting operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation” by EFCC operatives.
The suspects were arraigned on separate charges, bordering on cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, possession of documents containing false pretence, and identity theft.
Prosecution counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, told the court that, “Li Qiang (A.K.A Yang Huan Huan) and Genting International Co. Ltd Sometime in December 2024 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court cause to be accessed computer system used for the purpose of destabilising and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015.
“The anti-graft agency also accused Li Qiang (A.K.A Yang Hủan Hủan) that sometime in December 2024 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud had in your possession document containing false pretence to wit: fraudulent chats format; wherein you represented yourself to online victims to be a female model and thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 6, 8 (b) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Free Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, No.14 of 2006.”
EFCC also accused Hu Xi Heng and Genting International Co. Ltd that “sometime in December 2024 at Lagos within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court caused to be accessed computer system used for the purpose of destabilising and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015.”
They all pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to them, following which prosecution counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, urged the court for a trial date and for the defendants to be remanded in the Nigerian correctional facility.
Consequently, Justice Osiagor ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Nigerian correctional service centre and adjourned the trial to 23rd June 2025.
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