A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the remand of 13 Chinese nationals and a company, Genting International Co. Limited, over allegations of fraud, impersonation, and attempts to destabilize Nigeria’s constitutional structure.
Justice Denide Dipeolu issued the order on Friday following their arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to multiple charges under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (amended in 2024).
Among those charged are Wang Zheng Ming, Li Yin Hui, Xiao Hong Will, Wang Jia Qi (also known as Xiao Tian), Long Shao Ming (also known as You), and Zhang Xiao Lei.
Others include Liu San Hua, Chen Wenyuan (also known as Lee05mx20), Yang Sheng (Madison), Rheeigh De La Vega (also known as Rheignalyn), and Guo Xiao Fei.
The EFCC, acting on intelligence, arrested the suspects on December 10, 2024, at a location in Victoria Island, Lagos, linking them to cybercrime and fraudulent activities.
During the court session, the defendants individually pleaded not guilty, except for Wang Zheng Ming, who declined EFCC-appointed legal representation and requested time to hire his own lawyer.
Justice Dipeolu scheduled their trial for February 3, 14, and 21, 2025, ordering their detention at correctional facilities until then.
The two female defendants were sent to Kirikiri Female Correctional Centre, while the others were placed in Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
The EFCC’s charges include allegations of using fraudulent online identities, training employees in cybercrime, and facilitating identity theft.
One of the accused, Liu San Hua, is alleged to have hired Nigerian youths to impersonate foreign nationals for financial gain, violating the Cybercrimes Act.
Additionally, Zhang Xiao Lei and Genting International Co. Limited were accused of using computer systems to carry out cybercrimes that threatened Nigeria’s stability.
Another defendant, Wang Zheng Feng (also known as A. Feng), is accused of accessing computer systems to manipulate Nigeria’s economy and employing Nigerians in identity fraud schemes. His actions allegedly contravened both the Cybercrimes Act and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Luo Jia You (also known as You) is facing charges for allegedly providing false information to EFCC investigators, concealing his identity to protect a syndicate involved in romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and cyber terrorism.
Meanwhile, Guo Xiao Fei is accused of impersonating a French national named Alani to defraud an individual identified as Mr. Montalito.
He was also allegedly found in possession of fraudulent documents, including romance scam formats and messages where he falsely posed as a U.S. citizen, violating multiple sections of the Cybercrimes and Advance Fee Fraud Acts.
The EFCC emphasized that the defendants’ activities posed significant risks to Nigeria’s security and financial stability.
The court adjourned the case until February 3, 2025, for trial.
