By Nkechi Eze
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Lagos Zonal Directorate has taken a significant step in combating economic and financial crimes by arraigning nine Chinese nationals and Genting International Co. Ltd. before Justice C.J. Aneke at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The defendants are Su Dong Fu, Zheng Xian Tao, Wang Shi Long, Pan Cai Qi, Ting Liao, Fan Jia, Feng Li Cani, Lu Yong Yao and Yang Chen Cheng
They are members of the syndicate of 792 alleged crypto currency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested on December 10, 2024 in Lagos during a surprise operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation” by operatives of the EFCC.
According to a signed statement made available to newsmen by the commission’s spokesman Dele Oyewale, the suspects were arraigned on separate charges bordering on alleged cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, possession of documents containing false pretences and identity theft, among others.
One of the counts reads: “That you, ZENG XIAN TAO (AKA A TAO AND ZHOU TAO) AND GENTING INTERNATIONAL CO. LIMITED, sometime in December 2024 at Lagos, Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, willfully caused to be accessed, computer systems used for the purpose of destabilizing and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable 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.”
They all pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to them.
In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, M.K. Bashir, prayed the court for trial dates and for the defendants to be remanded in the correctional centre.
Justice Aneke adjourned the matter till February 21, and March 7, 2025, for trial and also remanded the defendants at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
