A Federal High Court in Lagos has commenced the trial of 42 foreign nationals, including 29 Chinese, 10 Filipinos, and others, over alleged cyber fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the suspects on Monday, February 3, 2025, following their arrest during a large-scale operation dubbed “Eagle Flush Operation” on December 19, 2024.
According to a statement signed by Dele Oyewale, the EFCC’s Spokesman, the defendants, including one Malaysian, one Indonesian, and one Pakistani, were arraigned alongside a company, Genting International Co. Ltd., before Justices Ayokunle Faji, D.I. Dipeolu, Alexander Owoeye, and C.J. Aneke.
The EFCC accused them of running an international syndicate engaged in cyber fraud schemes such as cryptocurrency investment scams, romance scams, and identity theft.
Read also: The prospects of cybersecurity, fraud detection: Tech expectations in 2025
Prosecutors alleged that the accused willfully accessed computer systems to destabilise Nigeria’s economic and constitutional structures.
They reportedly recruited Nigerian youths for identity theft, making them pose as foreigners to defraud victims globally.
The statement noted that the charges against them included cyber-terrorism, impersonation, and possession of fraudulent documents, all in violation of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).
“All defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecution, led by EFCC lawyers, requested trial dates and the remand of the accused in correctional facilities.
‘The various courts have scheduled trial proceedings throughout February and March 2025.
“The defendants have been remanded at Ikoyi and Kirikiri Correctional Centres pending further hearings”, the statement reads.
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
