On Tuesday, they appeared before Justice Daniel Osiagor for arraignment on charges of cyberterrorism and internet fraud aimed at destabilizing the Nigerian economy.
As per the charge sheets, the defendants are Huang Zhi, Zhang Lei, Sun Zhi Peng, Huang Jin Hui, Wù Hao, Lu Qiang, A Wen, Da Tou, Cheng Jian, Cong Bing, Fei Fan, Huxi Heng, Zheng Wei (a. k. a. A Hong), Liao Ri Xing (a. k. a. Li Jun), Li Qiang (a. k. a. Yang Huan Huan), and Hu Hui (a. k. a. A Bin).
They are among the 792 suspects in cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud who were taken into custody in Lagos on December 10, 2024, as part of an EFCC sting operation known as the “Eagle Flush Operation.”
The suspects were arraigned on individual accusations that included identity theft, possession of documents bearing false pretenses, cybercrimes, and cyberterrorism. They were linked to various cryptocurrency investment scams and romance fraud schemes
The prosecution’s attorney, Nnaemeka Omewa, informed the court that Li Qiang (A.K.A. Yang Huan Huan) and Genting International Co. Ltd., within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, “caused to be accessed computer system used for the purpose of destabilizing and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria sometime in December 2024 in Lagos, and thereby committed an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015.”
“The anti-graft agency also accused Li Qiang (A.K.A Yang Hủan Hủan) that sometime in December 2024 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud had in your possession document containing false pretence to wit: fraudulent chats format; wherein you represented yourself to online victims to be a female model and thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 6, 8 (b) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Free Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, No.14 of 2006.”
Hu Xi Heng and Genting International Co. Ltd. were also charged by the EFCC with “causing to be accessed computer system used for the purpose of destabilizing and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria sometime in December 2024 at Lagos within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and thereby committed an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015.”
Nnaemeka Omewa, the prosecution’s attorney, sought the court to set a trial date and send the defendants to the Nigerian prison after they all pleaded “not guilty” pleas to the accusations after they were read to them.
Thus, the trial was postponed until June 23, 2025, and Justice Osiagor ordered that the defendant be placed under remand in the Nigerian Correctional Service Center.
-Deeprows News
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