Court orders 13 Chinese nationals to be remanded over alleged cybercrime and security breach
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, South South Nigeria has remanded 13 Chinese nationals and Genting International Co. Limited on charges of alleged impersonation, fraud and attempts to disrupt Nigeria’s constitutional system.
Justice Denide Dipeolu issued the remand order on Friday following the defendants’ not-guilty pleas to the charges brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
They were among the suspects apprehended on 10 December 2024 at their hideout located at No. 7 Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The EFCC acted on credible intelligence linking them to cybercrime and fraudulent activities.
The EFCC’s legal team, directed by Director of Legal, Aso Peters, lodged charges against the defendants under Sections 18 and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).
In response to their pleas, Justice Dipeolu fixed trial dates for 3, 14, and 21 February 2025. He instructed 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.
Liu San Hua, a defendant in the case, was accused of facilitating identity theft by utilizing Nigerian youths to impersonate foreign nationals, purportedly violating Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.
