The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate, on Tuesday, arraigned 16 Chinese nationals before Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over allegations of cyber-terrorism, internet fraud, and identity theft.
The accused; Hu Hui (a.k.a. A Bin), Liao Ri Xing (a.k.a. Li Jun), Li Qiang (a.k.a. Yang Huan Huan), A Wen, Da Tou, Cheng Jian, Cong Bing, Fei Fan, Hu Xi Heng, Zheng Wei (a.k.a. A Hong), Huang Zhi, Zhang Lei, Sun Zhi Peng, Huang Jin Hui, Wù Hao, and Lu Qiang, were arrested as part of the 792 individuals apprehended during the EFCC’s Eagle Flush Operation conducted on December 10, 2024.
The operation targeted suspected criminal syndicates involved in cryptocurrency investment scams and romance fraud schemes operating in Lagos.
According to a statement from the EFCC, the defendants face separate charges bordering on cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, possession of fraudulent documents, advance fee fraud, and identity theft. One of the charges against Li Qiang alleges that he, along with Genting International Co. Ltd, accessed computer systems in December 2024 for the purpose of destabilizing and damaging Nigeria’s economy and social structure—an offense punishable under Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.
Similarly, Hu Xi Heng faces charges for allegedly committing the same offense within the same period and jurisdiction.
During the arraignment, the suspects pleaded “not guilty” to all charges. Following their pleas, the prosecution counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, requested the court to set a trial date and to remand the defendants in a correctional facility, citing the severity of the allegations and the need to prevent interference with the ongoing investigation.
Justice Osiagor, after hearing both parties, granted the prosecution’s request. He adjourned the matter to June 23, 2025, for trial and ordered that the defendants remain in custody until the proceedings commence.
The EFCC has reiterated its commitment to tackling cybercrime and ensuring that individuals or groups attempting to undermine Nigeria’s financial and social systems are brought to justice.
The Eagle Flush Operation, according to the commission, reflects the agency’s resolve to protect the nation from both local and international cyber threats.
The statement partly read: They are among the 792-member cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested by EFCC operatives on December 10, 2024, in Lagos, in a sting operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation”.
The suspects were arraigned on separate charges, bordering on cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, possession of documents containing false pretence, advance fee fraud and identity theft.
One of the charges against Qiang reads: “That you, 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 destabilizing 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″.
One of the charges against Heng reads: “That you, Hu Xi Heng 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 destabilizing 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, asked the court for a trial date and for the defendants to be remanded in a correctional facility”.
“Justice Osiagor adjourned the matter till June 23, 2025 for trial, and ordered that they be remanded in a correctional facility”.
