Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday remanded 13 Chinese nationals over alleged impersonation, fraud, and attempts to destabilise Nigeria’s constitutional structure.
The judge ordered the remand of the defendants after they pleaded not guilty to the various charges the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed against them.
The defendants were arraigned alongside a company, Genting International Co. Limited.
The Chinese nationals arraigned yesterday are: Wang Zheng Ming, Li Yin Hui, Xiao Hong Will, Wang Jia Qi (aka Xiao Tian), Long Shao Ming (aka You), Zhang Xiao Lei, Liu San Hua, Chen Wenyuan (aka Lee05mx20), Yang Sheng (Madison), and Rheeigh De La Vega (aka Rheignalyn).
The defendants were said to be among suspected fraudsters apprehended on December 10, 2024 by the EFCC at 7, Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, following credible intelligence. The EFCC’s legal team, consisting of Bilikisu Buhari-Bala, Aso Larry Peters, T. J. Banjo, M. K. Bashir, and I. N. Ukoha, accused the defendants of violating sections 18 and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 as amended in 2024.
Buhari-Bala arraigned the first, fifth, and sixth defendants; Aso Larry Peters arraigned the fifth, seventh, and eighth defendants; T. J. Banjo arraigned the ninth and 10th defendants; M. K. Bashir arraigned the 11th and 12th defendants; while I. N. Ukoha arraigned the 13th defendant.
After the charges were read to each defendant individually, all except Wang Zheng Ming pleaded not guilty.
Wang Zheng Ming rejected the EFCC-appointed lawyer and requested time to hire his defence counsel.