The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned another set of foreigners comprising Chinese and Filipino nationals before the Federal High court in Lagos on charges of cybercrimes, cyber-terrorism, possession of documents containing false pretence, identity theft, among others.
The foreigners were separately arraigned before four justices of the court, Justice Olayinka Faji, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, Justice Deinde Dipeolu, and Justice Alexander Owoeye.
10 foreigners were detained by Justice Faji, 6 by Justice Aneke, and 16 by Justice Dipeolu, the majority of whom were Chinese nationals, were detained. Justice Alexander Owoeye arraigned 13 Filipino nationals.
The defendants entered a not-guilty plea at the hearing and the judge placed their cases on hold while their bail applications were being heard.
The defendants are accused of obtaining and using a number of young Nigerians to commit identity theft and other computer-related fraud in secret in the charges brought against them.
The offences are punishable under Sections 18 and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.
Some of the defendants who were arraigned before the courts are Cherry De Leon (A. K. A Yesh De Leon), Khurram Shanzad, Fernad Fu Fang (A. K. A Kim), Tan Soon Kar, Rex Jose Dilag (A. K. A Madison), Jamal Polea, Jamilyn Jaynee Gonzalez (A. K. A Jam Galanza) and Hannah Jaramillo (A. K. A Max De Leon).
Others Lin Haobo, An Hongxu (a. k. a Ruike), Shitou Shizilong, Pan Jiong, Zhow Kunji, Huang Xiao Liang (a. k. a Liu Xiao Liang), Peng Sen Lin (a. k. a Peng Song Lin, Pen Sen Ling, Dong Fang Hong, Huang Ren Jan, Shi Yang Xiong, Lu Yi Liang, Guo Giang (a. k. a Lisa), Wen Zong Xu, Pan Cai Yu, and Guo Zhi Yong.
Other defendants are Danica Manulit (A. K. A. Dan Ruiz), Vera Dela Cris (A. K. A. Nina Vera Gonzal), Joey Gracia, Beverlyn Gumayo Casino (A. K. A. Sumayo), and Tricia Jenylyn Castro (Alias T. J. Castro).
The cases’ trial dates have been changed to February and March, with the earliest trial set to begin on February 7, 2025.
Background
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) apprehended the defendants on December 10, 2024, at their hideout on No. 1. 7, Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, following credible intelligence gathered by the EFCC.
The defendants specifically told the court that they purposefully obtained information from computer systems designed to seriously destabilize the country’s economic system (which forbids and prevents cybercrimes) by hiring and retaining Nigerian youths as foreign nationals in order to profit from their efforts.
The defendants were being interrogated for being a part of a criminal syndicate group with a focus on romance scam, cryptocurrency fraud, cyber terrorism, among other things when the defendants intentionally gave false information to officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission during an investigation, according to the Commission’s statement to the court.
Source: Channels TV
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