Justice Denide Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday remanded 13 Chinese nationals in custody over serious charges of fraud, identity theft, and cybercrimes aimed at destabilizing Nigeria’s constitutional structure.
The defendants, who include individuals and a company, Genting International Co. Limited, faced a range of charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The accused individuals include Wang Zheng Ming, Li Yin Hui, Xiao Hong Will, Wang Jia Qi (also known as Xiao Tian), Long Shao Ming (alias You), Zhang Xiao Lei, Liu San Hua, Chen Wenyuan (also known as Lee05mx20), Yang Sheng (Madison), and Rheeigh De La Vega (alias Rheignalyn).
The suspects were apprehended by the EFCC on December 10, 2024, after the commission acted on credible intelligence and raided their hideout at No. 7, Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The legal team representing the EFCC, led by Director of Legal Aso Peters and Bilikisu Buhari-Bala, presented evidence citing violations of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024, specifically Sections 18 and 27.
When the charges were read to the defendants, all except Wang Zheng Ming pleaded not guilty. Zheng Ming, however, rejected the EFCC-appointed counsel and requested time to hire his own legal team.
Justice Dipeolu adjourned the case for further proceedings, setting the next hearing dates for February 3, 14, and 21, 2025. The defendants were ordered to remain in custody, with the two female defendants held at the Kirikiri Female Correctional Centre and the remaining men at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
