The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, arraigned sixteen additional Chinese nationals before Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on charges related to cybercrime and internet fraud.
The defendants, 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, were arrested on December 10, 2024, during a large-scale EFCC sting operation known as “Eagle Flush Operation.” They are among 792 suspects apprehended for their alleged involvement in cryptocurrency investment scams and romance fraud schemes.
The accused individuals face multiple charges, including cyber-terrorism, identity theft, possession of fraudulent documents, and advance fee fraud. One of the charges against Li Qiang states:
“That you, Li Qiang (a.k.a Yang Huan Huan) and Genting International Co. Ltd, sometime in December 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, unlawfully accessed a computer system with the intent to destabilize and destroy 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, Hu Xi Heng is charged with:
“That you, Hu Xi Heng and Genting International Co. Ltd, sometime in December 2024 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, unlawfully accessed a computer system with the intent to destabilize and destroy 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 sixteen defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following their plea, the prosecution counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendants in a correctional facility pending the conclusion of proceedings.
Justice Osiagor subsequently adjourned the matter to June 23, 2025, for trial and ordered that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility.
