EFCC Arraigns 16 Additional Chinese for Alleged Cyber-terrorism, Internet Fraud in Lagos
The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, arraigned 16 Chinese nationals before Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on charges of cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
The suspects, identified as 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, Huxi Heng, Zheng Wei (a.k.a. A Hong), Huang Zhi, Zhang Lei, Sun Zhi Peng, Huang Jin Hui, Wù Hao, and Lu Qiang, are among the 792 individuals arrested in December 2024 during the EFCC’s “Eagle Flush Operation” in Lagos.
They face various charges, including cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, possession of false documents, advance fee fraud, and identity theft.
One of the charges against Li Qiang (a.k.a. Yang Huan Huan) 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, caused to be accessed a computer system used for the purpose of destabilizing and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015.”
Similarly, a charge against Hu Xi 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, caused to be accessed a computer system used for the purpose of destabilizing and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015.”
All 16 suspects pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to them. Following their pleas, prosecution counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, requested the court to set a trial date and for the defendants to be remanded in a correctional facility.
Justice Osiagor adjourned the matter to June 23, 2025, for trial and ordered the suspects to be remanded in a correctional facility.
