A Federal High Court in Lagos has remanded 13 Chinese nationals and a company, Genting International Co. Limited, on charges of alleged impersonation, fraud, and attempts to destabilise Nigeria’s constitutional structure.
Justice Denide Dipeolu issued the remand order on Friday after the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
They were among the suspects arrested on 10 December 2024 at their hideout on 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, led by Director of Legal Aso Peters, filed charges against the defendants under Sections 18 and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).
Following their pleas, Justice Dipeolu scheduled trial dates for 3, 14, and 21 February 2025. He ordered 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.
One specific defendant, Liu San Hua, was accused of facilitating identity theft by hiring Nigerian youths to impersonate foreign nationals to gain financial advantage. This act is said to have violated Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.
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