The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has arraigned four Chinese before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos on charges of cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
According to EFCC, Xia Guang Can, Li Xu Xin, Zhang Xue Hui, and Lu Yubo appeared before Justices M. Kakaki and Ayokunle Faji on Tuesday over charges of internet fraud, cyber-terrorism, possession of documents containing false pretence, advance fee fraud, and identity theft.
Lu Yubo is accused of working with Genting International Co. Limited to “willfully cause(d) to be accessed, a computer system which was organised to seriously destabilise the economic and social structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, by procuring and employing several Nigerian youths for identity theft and other computer related fraud.”
Can, Xin, and Hui were each arraigned on one-count charges before Justice Kakaki, while Yubo faced a two-count charge before Justice Faji.
One of the charges against Zhang Xue Hui alleges that “sometime in December 2024 at Lagos within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court (he) caused to be accessed (a) computer system used for the purpose of destabilising and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria.” This is a violation of Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act 2015.
Lu Yubo is accused of working with Genting International Co. Limited to “willfully cause(d) to be accessed, a computer system which was organised to seriously destabilise the economic and social structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, by procuring and employing several Nigerian youths for identity theft and other computer related fraud.” This is a violation of Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention, etc.) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2015 (as amended).
The four individuals are allegedly part of a larger syndicate of 792 suspects arrested on December 10, 2024, during an EFCC operation dubbed “Eagle Flush Operation”. This operation targeted individuals allegedly involved in cryptocurrency investment and romance scams.
All four defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges. Prosecution counsels Fanen Anum and Ahmed Yerima requested trial dates and that the defendants be remanded in a correctional centre. Counsel for the defendants requested a short adjournment to file bail applications.
Justice Kakaki adjourned the trial for Can, Xin, and Hui until March 18, 2025, and ordered them remanded in a correctional centre. Justice Faji adjourned Yubo’s trial until March 31 and April 3, 2025, and ordered him remanded in the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
This is the latest in a series of arraignments related to the “Eagle Flush Operation.” The EFCC has been bringing groups of Chinese nationals before the Federal High Court in Lagos on similar charges throughout February.Â
On February 14, the EFCC arraigned eleven Chinese nationals and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd. Earlier in February, another eleven Chinese nationals were arraigned on similar charges. These individuals are also accused of being part of the 792-member syndicate.
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