At least 29 Chinese, 10 Filipinos, and three others have been detained in the Ikoyi and Kirikiri Correctional Centres of Lagos State.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission revealed it this Monday on its X handle, saying that they were arraigned alongside a company, Genting International Company Limited., before Justices Ayokunle Faji, D.I. Dipeolu, Alexander Owoeye, and C.J. Aneke, respectively.
The suspects are said to be members of the syndicate of 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects who were arrested on December 19, 2024, in Lagos during an operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation” by operatives of the EFCC.
They were arraigned on separate charges, including alleged cybercrimes, cyberterrorism, impersonation, possession of documents containing false pretences, and identity theft, among others.
The individuals, totalling 42, including one Malaysian, an Indonesian, and a Pakistani, were indicted by the Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The defendants are Zhang Zhai, Chen Xin, Li Peng, Guo Long, Ren Wen, Zhang Jian, Zhao Bin, Zhang Yang, Wang Chenge, Khurram Shanzad, Tan Kar, An Hongxu, Shitou Shizilong, Pan Jiong, and others.
When the offences were read to them, each of the arraigned suspects pleaded not guilty.
In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, L.P. Aso, M.K. Bashir, N.K. Ukoha, T.J. Banjo, M.S. Owede, B.B. Buhari, C.C. Okezie, H.U. Kofarnaisa, and Z.B. Atiku, respectively, implored the court for trial dates and for the defendants to be remanded in the appropriate correctional centres.
Justice Faji adjourned the matter till February 10, 11, 17, 18, and 19, 2025.
Justice Dipeolu adjourned the matter till February 7, 15, 21, 24, and 28, 2025; Justice Owoeye adjourned the matter till February 20, 21, 24, 28, and March 18, 2025; and Justice Aneke adjourned the matter till March 7, 2025, for trial.