THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned nine Chinese nationals and Genting International Co. Ltd. before the Federal High Court in Lagos over allegations of cyber terrorism and internet fraud.
The defendants, identified as 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, pleaded not guilty to the charges when they appeared before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke today.
According to the EFCC, the accused individuals are part of a syndicate of 792 suspected cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud operators, arrested in Lagos on December 10, 2024, during a surprise operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation.”
They are facing multiple charges, including cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, possession of fraudulent documents, and identity theft.
Following their pleas, prosecution counsel M.K. Bashir requested trial dates and urged the court to remand the defendants to a correctional facility pending further proceedings.
In response, Justice Aneke adjourned the case to February 21 and March 7, 2025, for trial and ordered the defendants to be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
This arraignment comes just two days after the EFCC arraigned 11 other Chinese nationals before the same court for similar offences, as the anti-graft agency intensifies its crackdown on cyber-related crimes.
