By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, February 14, 2025, arraigned 11 more Chinese and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd, before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos for fraud.

The defendants are: Li Niu, Xiao Qinyun, Fu Zheng Yang, Xiao Yi, Bei Bei Linde Jun, Li Hang, Huan Livo, Wang Wei Tong Mo Ying, Gao Yang, Zebin Chen and Yuan Zhibin.
They are part of the 792-member syndicate of alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested in Lagos on December 10, 2024 by officers of the EFCC in a surprise operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation.”

The suspects were arraigned on separate charges bordering on cyber-terrorism,
cybercrimes, possession of documents containing false pretence, advance fee fraud and identity theft.

The charge against Jun reads: “That you, BEI BEI LINDE JUN, (Female), adult and GENTING INTERNATIONAL CO. LIMITED sometime between the 28th of November, 2024 and 10th of December, 2024. at No. 7, Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud, willfully caused to be accessed, computer systems which were organized to destabilize the social and economic structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, when you secretly procured and employed several Nigerian youths for identity theft and other computer related fraud, and you thereby committed an offence, contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.,) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2015 (As amended).”

Niu’s charge reads: “That you, LI NIU sometimes in 2024 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourabe Court, had in your possession documents where you represented yourself as “LISA’ and that you are a female from Singapore, a representation which you knew or ought to have known is false and you thereby committed and offence contrary to Section 6 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1 (3) of the same Act.”

They all pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to them, following which prosecution counsel, Ahmed Yerima, F.S. Mohammed, A.M. Dambuwq and N.C. Mutfwang asked the court for a trial date and for the defendants to be remanded in a Correctional Centre.

Justice Aneke adjourned the matter till March 14 and 21, 2025 for trial, and ordered that the defendants be remanded in the Ikoyi and Kirikiri Correctional Centres.
efcc.gov.ng

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A close family source has revealed the real cause of death of Afenifere leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo.

The nationalist died at the age of 95, barely few months to his 96th birthday.

According to the source, the elder statesman had been battling health issues for some time.

In his final days, he stopped eating solid food and only consumed liquids before peacefully passing in his sleep at his residence in Lekki, Lagos.

Born on April 10, 1928, Adebanjo was a key figure in Nigeria’s political landscape.

He dedicated his life to advocating for restructuring, federalism, and justice.

A close associate of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, he played a crucial role in the Action Group and later the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), where he fought against military rule.

His passing has led to an outpouring of tributes from political leaders, including President Bola Tinubu, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari, as well as governors and leaders from various socio-political groups.

They described him as a fearless advocate for democracy and a firm believer in fairness.

Adebanjo’s family confirmed his passing in a statement, noting that funeral arrangements would be announced soon.

He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.