A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the detention of 16 additional Chinese nationals at the state’s correctional facility concerning a fraud case brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC announced this development in a statement on Tuesday. The suspects are part of several dozens of Asian and other foreigners arrested by the EFCC in a major sting operation in Lagos.
The accused individuals, facing fraud-related charges, appeared before Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi. They are: Hu Hui (also known as A Bin), Liao Ri Xing (also known as Li Jun), Li Qiang (also known as Yang Huan Huan), A Wen, Da Tou, Cheng Jian, Cong Bing, Fei Fan, Huxi Heng, Zheng Wei (also known as A Hong), Huang Zhi, Zhang Lei, Sun Zhi Peng, Huang Jin Hui, Wù Hao, and Lu Qiang.
The EFCC revealed that these defendants were among 792 suspects arrested on December 10, 2024, in Lagos during a special operation dubbed “Eagle Flush Operation.”
The individuals face charges linked to cybercrimes, cyberterrorism, possession of fraudulent documents, advance fee fraud, and identity theft.
One charge against Li Qiang states that, in December 2024, he and Genting International Co. Ltd accessed a computer system in Lagos with the intent of destabilizing Nigeria’s economy and social structure, committing an offence under the Cybercrimes Act of 2015.
Similarly, Hu Xi Heng faces a charge with identical wording, accusing him and Genting International Co. Ltd of a similar offence.
During the court session on Tuesday, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the prosecution, led by Nnaemeka Omewa, requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendants in custody pending any bail applications.
Justice Osiagor adjourned the case to June 23, 2025, for trial and ordered the defendants to remain in a correctional facility.
It would be recalled that 17 Chinese nationals and the company, Genting International Co. Ltd, were also arraigned separately before Justices Musa Kakaki and Daniel Osiagor. These defendants were arrested during the EFCC’s sting operation.
