A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the remand of 13 Chinese nationals and a company, Genting International Co. Limited, on charges of alleged impersonation, fraud, and attempts to destabilize Nigeria’s constitutional structure. Justice Denide Dipeolu issued the remand order on Friday after the defendants, who pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), were arraigned in court.
The accused include Wang Zheng Ming, Li Yin Hui, Xiao Hong Will, Wang Jia Qi (a.k.a. Xiao Tian), Long Shao Ming (a.k.a. You), Zhang Xiao Lei, Liu San Hua, Chen Wenyuan (a.k.a. Lee05mx20), Yang Sheng (Madison), Rheeigh De La Vega (a.k.a. Rheignalyn), and Guo Xiao Fei. They were arrested on December 10, 2024, at a hideout on Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, after the EFCC acted on credible intelligence linking them to cybercrime and fraudulent activities.
The EFCC’s legal team filed charges under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (amended in 2024). Following the reading of the charges, all defendants pleaded not guilty, with Wang Zheng Ming requesting time to hire his own lawyer. Justice Dipeolu set trial dates for February 3, 14, and 21, 2025, and ordered the defendants to be held in correctional facilities until their trial.