The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned 18 Chinese nationals and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd over alleged internet fraud.
The accused persons were brought before Justice Daniel Osiagor, of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos State.
They were arrested in December 2024 in Lagos on the allegation of cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud.
Those who appeared before the court on Friday were Huang Bo, Xiong Zhen, Lai Rui Feng, Deng Wei Qiang, Fu Min, Qin Xiao Yong, Li Dong, Li De Wen, Luo Mao Yang, Zhao Xiao Hui, Du Ji Feng, Liu Hai Rong, Liu Ni Ni, Liu Gang, Sun Qi, Zhang Jian, Peng Fa li and Huo Wen Jie.
Their alleged offences included cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, possession of documents containing false pretence and identity theft, among others. Their charges were read separately.
One of the charges reads: “That you Huang Bo, Xiong Zhen, Lai Rui Feng, Genting International Co. Ltd and A. Dao (at large) sometime in December 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired with yourselves to commit an offence to wit: cause to be accessed, computer systems for the purpose of destabilising and destroying the economic and social structure of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) (b) and punishable under Section 18 (1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015.”
They pleaded “not guilty” to the offences.
In view of their pleas, the EFCC asked the court for trial dates and for the defendants to be remanded in the appropriate correctional centre.
Justice Osiagor adjourned the matter till May 5, 2025, for trial, and subsequently ordered the remand of the defendants at the Ikoyi correctional centre.
