‘Chinese Nationals Face Cyber Terrorism Charges’ — Court Remands Defendants In Ikoyi Correctional Facility

Nine Chinese citizens and their company, Genting International Company Limited, were arraigned last Thursday before a Federal High Court, Lagos court presided by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are prosecuting the nine Chinese citizens on alleged Cybercrimes, love scams, and security breaches.

Those arraigned before the court are: Su Dong Fu; Zheng Xian Tao; Wang Shi Long; Pan Cai Qi; Ting Liao; Zheng Xian Tao; Fan Jia; Feng Li Cai; Lu Yong Yao and Yang Chen Cheng.

Meanwhile, Justice Aneke ordered the remand of all the Defendants at the Ikoyi Facility of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), after they all pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them by the EFCC. Prior to the remand order, the court fixed February 21 and March 14, 2025, for the Defendants’ trial.

Those that will have their trial commence on February 21, are: Su Dong Fu; Zheng Xian Tao; Wang Shi Long; Pan Cai Qi, and Ting Liao, while the trial of Fan Jia; Feng Li Cai; Lu Yong Yao and Yang Chen Cheng will start on March 14.

Some charges against the Defendants read: “That you Fan Jia (aka Bu Fan) and Genting International Co. Limited, sometime in December 2024 at Lagos, Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, wilfully caused to be accessed, computer systems used for destabilising and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as Amended, 2024) and Section 2(3) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act. 2022”.

“That you Fan Jia (aka Bu Fan) and Genting International Co Limited sometime in December 2024 at Lagos, Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, wilfully gave false information to officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the course of an investigation when you were being questioned for being part of a criminal syndicate group specialised in Romance scam, cryptocurrency fraud, cyber terrorism amongst others: and to mislead them, you falsely represented your name as Bu Fan, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 39(2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 and punishable under Section 39(2)(b) of the same Act.”