A Federal High Court in Lagos has remanded 12 Chinese nationals and the company Genting International Co. Ltd. on charges of attempting to defraud Nigeria through organized cybercrime activities aimed at destabilizing the nation’s social and economic structure.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke issued the remand order on Friday after the defendants pleaded not guilty to charges brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The defendants, who were arraigned before the court, include Wang Wei, Tong Ying, Li Hang, Gao Yang, Xiao Qinyun, Fu Zheng (also known as Qiu Hang), Xiao Yi, and Bei Linde Jun. Other suspects are Yuan Zhibin (also known as Yin Jun), Huan Livo (also known as Hong Niu), Li Niu, Chen Wen Yuan, Yang Sheng, and Rheigh Vega.
They were arrested on December 10, 2024, at their hideout on No. 7 Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, following credible intelligence linking them to cybercrime and fraudulent activities.
EFCC Prosecutor Ahmed Yerima filed charges under Sections 18 and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).
After the charges were read to the defendants, they all pleaded not guilty.
In response, Justice Aneke scheduled trial dates for March 17 and March 21, respectively.
He also ordered that the defendants be held in correctional facilities pending trial.
The female defendant were remanded at Kirikiri Female Correctional Centre, while the others were taken to Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
Among the charges, the EFCC alleges that Li Hang, on or about December 11, 2024, gave false information to mislead EFCC officers. Li Hang is also accused of having fraudulent documents containing conversations designed for criminal activities.
Additionally, the EFCC alleges that he employed Nigerian youths for identity theft and other computer-related fraud between November 29 and December 10, 2024.
Genting International Co. Ltd., alongside other individuals such as Wang Wei Tong Mo Ying and Gao Yang, is accused of orchestrating cybercrime activities to destabilize Nigeria’s economy by hiring Nigerian youths for fraudulent schemes.
The charges also accuse some of the defendants, including Rheigh De La Vega and Genting International Co. Ltd., of facilitating cybercrime and employing Nigerian youths for identity theft and other fraudulent activities with the intent to gain financial advantages.
The court proceedings continue as the defendants face serious charges that could carry severe penalties under Nigerian law.
