A total of 42 individuals, including 29 Chinese, 10 Filipinos, and three others, have been remanded in the Ikoyi and Kirikiri Correctional Centres of Lagos State by Federal High Courts sitting in Ikoyi on Monday. Among the remanded individuals are one Malaysian, one Indonesian, and one Pakistani. They were arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before different justices at the Federal High Court.
The suspects are part of a syndicate of 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects who were arrested during an operation called the “Eagle Flush Operation” conducted by the EFCC in Lagos on December 19, 2024. They are facing separate charges related to cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, impersonation, possession of false documents, and identity theft, among other offenses.
The arraigned individuals, including Zhang Zhai, Chen Xin, Li Peng, Guo Long, Ren Wen, Zhang Jian, Zhao Bin, Zhang Yang, Wang Chenge, Khurram Shanzad, Tan Kar, An Hongxu, Shitou Shizilong, Pan Jiong, and others, were charged with various crimes. One of the counts accuses Zhang Hua Zhai and Genting International Co. Limited of causing destabilization to Nigeria’s constitutional structure by employing Nigerian youths for identity theft and financial gain.
Another count involves Viera Dela Cruz and Genting International Co. Ltd., who allegedly committed similar offenses. When the charges were read to the suspects, they all pleaded not guilty. The prosecution counsel requested trial dates and for the defendants to be remanded in correctional centers.
Different justices adjourned the proceedings to various dates in February and March for trial. Justice Faji scheduled the matter for February 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 2025. Justice Dipeolu set the dates for February 7, 15, 21, 24, and 28, 2025. Justice Owoeye scheduled the matter for February 20, 21, 24, 28, and March 18, 2025. Lastly, Justice Aneke adjourned the case till March 7, 2025, for trial.
The arraignment of these individuals underscores the commitment of the EFCC to combat cybercrimes and fraudulent activities in Nigeria. The prolonged legal process reflects the complexity of the case and the seriousness with which the authorities are handling it. As the trial progresses, more details about the alleged offenses and the involvement of the defendants are expected to emerge.