The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arraigned additional foreign suspects linked to the 792 individuals arrested in Lagos last December for alleged internet fraud.
The anti-graft agency charged 29 Chinese, 10 Filipinos, one Malaysian, one Indonesian, and one Pakistani, along with a company, Genting International Co. Ltd, before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The defendants appeared before Justices Ayokunle Faji, D.I. Dipeolu, Alexander Owoeye, and C.J. Aneke. A statement on EFCC’s official X handle listed the accused individuals, including Zhang Hua Zhai, Chen Xin, Li Zhen Peng, Guo Long Long, Ren Jia Wen, Zhang Jian, Zhao Ying Bin, Cherry De Leon (a.k.a. Yeah De Leon), and Khurram Shanzad, among others.
The EFCC accused the defendants of cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, impersonation, possession of fraudulent documents, and identity theft. Prosecutors allege the suspects used computer systems to recruit Nigerian youths for identity fraud, destabilizing the country’s economic and social structure.
One count specifically accused Peng Li Jaun (a.k.a. Han Li Jaun) and Genting International Co. Ltd of orchestrating a scheme where recruited Nigerians posed as foreign nationals for financial gain.
The EFCC stated that these offenses violate Sections 18 and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024):
- Section 18 (1): Criminalizes using computer systems for terrorism, prescribing life imprisonment upon conviction.
- Section 27: Penalizes employees in financial institutions who assist fraudsters with up to two years in prison.
The defendants pleaded not guilty, and EFCC prosecutors, led by L.P. Aso, M.K. Bashir, and N.K. Ukoha, requested their remand pending trial. The judges ordered their detention at Ikoyi and Kirikiri Correctional Centres and set the following trial dates:
- Justice Faji: February 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, and 20
- Justice Dipeolu: February 7, 15, 21, 24, and 28
- Justice Owoeye: February 20, 21, 24, 28, and March 18
- Justice Aneke: March 7