From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, February 6, 2025, arraigned nine Chinese nationals and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd., before Justice C.J. Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The defendants are 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.
They are members of a syndicate of 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested on December 10, 2024, in Lagos during a surprise operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation” by operatives of the EFCC.
According to the Head of Media and Publicity, EFCC, Dele Oyewale, the suspects were arraigned on separate charges bordering on alleged cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, possession of documents containing false pretences, and identity theft, among others.
One of the counts 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, wilfully caused to be accessed computer systems used for the purpose of destabilising 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.”
They all pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to them.
In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, M.K. Bashir, prayed the court for trial dates and for the defendants to be remanded in the correctional centre.
Justice Aneke adjourned the matter till February 21 and March 7, 2025, for trial and also remanded the defendants at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, Oyewale said.