Justice Denide Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday remanded 13 Chinese nationals over allegations of impersonation, fraud, and attempts to destabilize Nigeria’s constitutional structure.
The judge ordered the remand of the defendants after they pleaded not guilty to the various charges filed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
The defendants were arraigned alongside a company, Genting International Co. Limited.
The individuals facing prosecution include Wang Zheng Ming, Li Yin Hui, Xiao Hong Will, Wang Jia Qi (aka Xiao Tian), Long Shao Ming (aka You), Zhang Xiao Lei, Liu San Hua, Chen Wenyuan (aka Lee05mx20), Yang Sheng (Madison), and Rheeigh De La Vega (aka Rheignalyn).
The accused individuals were among a group of suspected fraudsters apprehended on December 10, 2024, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at their hideout on No. 7, Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, following credible intelligence gathered by the EFCC.
The EFCC’s legal team , consisting of Bilikisu Buhari-Bala, Aso Larry Peters, TJ Banjo, M.K. Bashir, and I.N. Ukoha, presented the charges, citing violations of Sections 18 and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.
Specifically, Bilikisu Buhari-Bala arraigned the 1st, 4th, and 6th defendants; Aso Larry Peters arraigned the 5th, 7th, and 8th defendants; TJ Banjo arraigned the 9th and 10th defendants; M.K. Bashir arraigned the 11th and 12th defendants; and I.N. Ukoha arraigned the 13th defendant.
After the charges were read to each defendant individually, all except Wang Zheng Ming pleaded not guilty.
Wang Zheng Ming rejected the EFCC-appointed lawyer and requested time to hire his own legal representation.
Justice Dipeolu adjourned the case to February 3, 14, and 21 for trial and ordered the defendants to be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Centres.
The two female defendants were remanded in the Kirikiri Female Correctional Centre, while the others were taken to the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
One of the defendants, Liu San Hua, was accused of facilitating identity theft by hiring Nigerian youths to impersonate foreign nationals with the intent to gain financial advantage. This action violated Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.
Several charges also include allegations of using fake identities online to defraud victims, training employees of Genting International Co. Limited in fraudulent practices, and other related offenses under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offenses Act, 2006.
According to the EFCC, the charges highlight serious offenses aimed at undermining Nigeria’s security and financial integrity through cybercrime and fraud.
Some of the specific charges read as follows: “That you, San Hua and Genting International Co. Limited, in December 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, willfully accessed computer systems organized to destabilize Nigeria’s constitutional structure by employing Nigerian youths for identity theft, causing them to impersonate foreign nationals with the intent to gain financial advantage. This constitutes an offense under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).”
“That you, Zhang Xiao Lei and Genting International Co. Limited, in December 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, willfully accessed computer systems organized to destabilize Nigeria’s constitutional structure by employing Nigerian youths for identity theft, causing them to impersonate foreign nationals with the intent to gain financial advantage. This constitutes an offense under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).”
“That you, Wang Zheng Feng (aka A. Feng), in December 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, willfully accessed computer systems used to destabilize Nigeria’s economy and social structure. You thereby committed an offense under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024) and Section 2(3) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
“That you, Luo Jia You (aka You), in December 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, gave false information to officers of the EFCC during an investigation. You misrepresented your name as A. YOU to mislead officers while being questioned for involvement in a criminal syndicate specializing in romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and cyber terrorism. This constitutes an offense under Section 39(2) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004 and is punishable under Section 39(2)(b) of the same Act.”
