The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate, has arraigned 14 Filipino nationals and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd, before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on charges bordering on cyber-terrorism, internet fraud, identity theft, and impersonation.
This was made known by the EFCC in a press statement on their official X (account formerly Twitter)
According to the statement, the defendant, Marj Maranga, Zara Fabian, Jonalyn Mendoza, Dominique Medina, Rachelle Cabalona, Krystel Aquilesca, Caselyn Pionela, Raizza Camara, Danica Silad, Reyna Mae Eriba, Chynna Samonte, Mary Grace Dela Cruz, Sevien Cire Renovilla, and Rose-Ann Gonzales—were among the 792 suspects apprehended during a surprise operation code-named “Eagle Flush Operation” conducted by EFCC operatives on December 10, 2024, in Lagos.
The EFCC accused the defendants of engaging in a wide range of cybercrimes aimed at destabilizing Nigeria’s economic and social structures.
Among the charges is the alleged procurement of Nigerian youths for identity theft and impersonation of foreign nationals to facilitate fraudulent online activities.
In the charge against Mary Grace Dela Cruz and Genting International Co. Ltd, the prosecution stated that the defendants “willfully accessed computer systems organized to seriously destabilize and destroy the fundamental economic and social structure of Nigeria.”
In addition, Dela Cruz was also accused of employing Nigerian youths to pose as foreign nationals to secure financial gains, an offence contrary to Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024) and Section 2(3)(d) of the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“That you, Mary Grace Dela Cruz and Genting International Co. Ltd sometime in December 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, willfully caused to be accessed, computer systems organized to seriously destabilize and destroy the fundamental economic and social structure of Nigeria when you procured/employed Nigerian youths for identity theft and to hold themselves out as persons of foreign nationality, with the intent to gain a financial advantage for yourselves 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)(d) of the Terrorism (Prevention, Prohibition) Act, 2022”, the statement stated.
Similarly, Krystel Aquilesca was charged with fraudulently impersonating an individual identified as “TETEEL” with the intent of securing financial benefits for her employer, an act deemed punishable under Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes Act.
During the arraignment, it was stated that all defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
Prosecution counsel M.K. Bashir, N.K. Ukoha, and Bilkisu Buhari requested that the court set trial dates and order the remand of the defendants in a correctional facility pending trial.
However, Justice Musa Kakaki granted the prosecution’s request, adjourning the case to March 13, 2025, for trial and ordered the remand of all defendants at a correctional center.
