Court remands 13 Chinese nationals over cybercrime, security breach

A Federal High Court in Lagos has remanded thirteen Chinese nationals and a company, Genting International Co. Limited, on charges of alleged impersonation, fraud, and attempts to destabilise Nigeria’s constitutional structure.

Justice Denide Dipeolu issued the remand order on Friday after the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The defendants, who were arraigned before the court, include Wang Zheng Ming, Li Yin Hui, Xiao Hong Will, Wang Jia Qi (a.k.a. Xiao Tian), Long Shao Ming (a.k.a. You), and Zhang Xiao Lei.

Others are Liu San Hua, Chen Wenyuan (a.k.a. Lee05mx20), Yang Sheng (Madison), Rheeigh De La Vega (a.k.a. Rheignalyn), and Guo Xiao Fei.

They were among the suspects arrested on December 10, 2024 at their hideout in No. 7 Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

One specific defendant, Liu San Hua, was accused of facilitating identity theft by hiring Nigerian youths to impersonate foreign nationals to gain financial advantage.

The EFCC acted on credible intelligence linking them to cybercrime and fraudulent activities.

The EFCC’s legal team, led by Director of Legal, Aso Peters, filed charges against the defendants 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 individually, they all pleaded not guilty, except for Wang Zheng Ming, who rejected the EFCC-appointed lawyer and requested time to hire his own legal representation.

Following their pleas, Justice Dipeolu scheduled trial dates for 3, 14, and 21 February 2025.

He ordered the defendants to be held at correctional facilities pending trial.

The two female defendants were remanded at Kirikiri Female Correctional Centre, while the others were taken to Ikoyi Correctional Centre.