Metro

Court Remands 13 Chinese Nationals Over Cybercrime, Security Breach

Published

1 year ago

February 1, 2025

A Federal High Court in Lagos has remanded 13 Chinese nationals and a company, Genting International Co. Limited, on charges of alleged impersonation, fraud, and attempts to destabilise Nigeria’s constitutional structure.

Justice Denide Dipeolu issued the remand order on Friday after the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The defendants, who were arraigned before the court, 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), and Zhang Xiao Lei.

Others are 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 among the suspects arrested on 10 December 2024 at their hideout on No. 7 Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The EFCC acted on credible intelligence linking them to cybercrime and fraudulent activities.

The EFCC’s legal team, led by Director of Legal Aso Peters, filed charges against the defendants under Sections 18 and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).

After the charges were read to the defendants individually, they all pleaded not guilty, except for Wang Zheng Ming, who rejected the EFCC-appointed lawyer and requested time to hire his own legal representation.

Following their pleas, Justice Dipeolu scheduled trial dates for 3, 14, and 21 February 2025.

He ordered the defendants to be held at correctional facilities pending trial.

The two female defendants were remanded at Kirikiri Female Correctional Centre, while the others were taken to Ikoyi Correctional Centre.

One specific defendant, Liu San Hua, was accused of facilitating identity theft by hiring Nigerian youths to impersonate foreign nationals to gain financial advantage.

This act is said to have violated Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.

Several of the charges include allegations of using fake identities online to defraud victims, training employees of Genting International Co. Limited in fraudulent practices, and other offences under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

According to the EFCC, the charges highlight serious offences aimed at undermining Nigeria’s security and financial integrity through cybercrime and fraudulent activities.

Liu San Hua and Genting International Co. Limited allegedly facilitated identity theft by employing Nigerian youths to pose as foreign nationals, violating Section 18 of the Cybercrimes Act.

Zhang Xiao Lei and Genting International Co. Limited were accused of using computer systems to commit cybercrimes aimed at destabilising Nigeria’s constitutional structure.

The EFCC stated that sometime in December 2024, Wang Zheng Feng (also known as A. Feng) allegedly accessed computer systems to harm Nigeria’s economy and social structure. He was said to have employed Nigerian youths for identity theft, presenting them as foreign nationals to gain financial advantage—an offence that violated both the Cybercrimes

Act and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Luo Jia You (also known as You) was charged with providing false information to EFCC investigators, misleading them about his identity to conceal his involvement in a syndicate specialising in romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and cyber terrorism.

In an attempt to mislead investigators, Luo Jia You allegedly misrepresented his name as A. You—an offence contrary to Section 39(2) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004, and punishable under Section 39(2)(b) of the same Act.

The Commission told the court that sometime in December 2024, Guo Xiao Fei, with intent to gain financial advantage for his employer, fraudulently impersonated a French national named Alani by presenting himself as such to one Mr Montalito.

The offence contravened Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.

He was also accused of being in possession of documents used for false pretences, including romance scam formats and chat records where he falsely presented himself as a United States citizen.

This offence contravened Sections 6, 8(b), and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

The EFCC stated that the defendants’ activities posed serious threats to Nigeria’s security and financial integrity.

After their arraignment, the court adjourned the case till 3 February 2025 for trial.
PUNCH

Metro

Violence Rocks APC Reps Primary In Ekiti Ward, Exercise Declared Inconclusive

Published

2 days ago

May 16, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted at the All Progressives Congress, APC, primary for Ward 10, Fajuyi Pavilion, Ado Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Saturday.

Electoral officials halted the process and declared it inconclusive after violence broke out among party supporters.

The primary pitted Olushola Fatoba against Tope Ogunleye, widely known as RST. Loyalists and agents of both aspirants had converged on Fajuyi Pavilion before voting was scheduled to begin.

According to eyewitnesses, tensions rose when suspected thugs allegedly backing Fatoba stormed the venue wielding canes and firearms. Their arrival appeared aimed at intimidating Ogunleye’s supporters and suppressing turnout.

Despite the hostile atmosphere, Ogunleye’s backers held their ground, chanting solidarity songs in support of their candidate. Voting eventually started under heavy tension.

Observers at the scene said Ogunleye seemed to have the larger share of support among members present, with his base visibly outnumbering the opposition.

Violence broke out after Fatoba’s camp allegedly sensed an imminent loss. Clashes between both groups forced an abrupt end to voting.

During the unrest, Ogunleye’s agent, Mr. Sunday, was assaulted. Another member, Mr. Femi Ogunleye, was reportedly beaten and his Tecno Spark 9 phone seized. A female supporter, Mrs. Oluwaseun Osamuwa, was also attacked and her Apple Smart Wrist Watch stolen. Both Mr. Femi Ogunleye and Mrs. Osamuwa sustained injuries and were rushed to hospital.

As of press time, no winner had emerged and the Ward 10 primary remained inconclusive.

The violence has renewed concerns over thuggery and intimidation in internal party elections. Party members and political observers say the incident raises serious questions about voters’ ability to freely choose candidates without fear.

Stakeholders are calling on security agencies and electoral authorities to probe the disruption, ensure justice for those attacked, and safeguard the credibility of future primaries.

Metro

My Wife Destroyed My Property, Instigated Our Children To Beat Me, Man Tells Court

Published

2 days ago

May 16, 2026

Editor

The Grade A Customary Court, Court 2, sitting in Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has delivered judgment in a divorce suit filed by a man, Theophilus, against his wife, Aina, whom she accused of lack of affection, frequent quarrels, and domestic violence.

According to Theophilus, Aina was stubborn and always insisted on having things her own way.

He further said that she was disobedient and refused to listen to him.

The plaintiff also told the court that the defendant was hostile towards their friends and neighbours, which often led to conflicts between them.

He further claimed that Aina was violent and would attack him with any object within her reach during disagreements.

In addition, he accused her of destroying his property whenever they had differences.

Theophilus also explained that Aina turned their children against him.

He stated that they assaulted him and damaged his belongings.

He told the court that he eventually left their home because he feared for his safety and believed that the defendant intended to harm him.

The plaintiff therefore appealed to the court to dissolve their marriage and also requested an order restraining Aina from threatening him or interfering with his privacy.

Aina was absent from court despite being served court summons.

Theophilus, while giving his testimony before the court, stated, “I have not enjoyed peace or rest of mind since I married my wife.

“I paid her bride price to her family, but they rejected it.

“My wife is far from being a virtuous woman.

“She was never submissive and was always full of herself.

“She had no respect for me and disobeyed my instructions whenever she wished.

“She neither listened to me nor accepted my advice.

“My wife was also violent.

“During disagreements, she attacked me with any dangerous object she could lay her hands on.

“On three different occasions, Aina destroyed my property.

“Our neighbours and friends were not exempt from her hostility.

“She was constantly at loggerheads with them and fought with them on several occasions.

“My wife also turned our children against me.

“They beat me mercilessly and nearly killed me.

“They also destroyed my belongings.

“I left the house after the incident because it became obvious that my wife wanted me dead.

“I came to court to seek the dissolution of our marriage because my wife’s presence in my life has brought me nothing but pain and suffering.

“I sincerely appeal to the court to dissolve our marriage.

“I also request an order restraining her from threatening me or interfering with my privacy.”

The Court President, Mrs. O. E. Owoseni, while delivering judgment, stated that there was no valid marriage to dissolve because no marital rites were performed, and no bride price was paid.

Owoseni also issued an order restraining the defendant from threatening or interfering with the plaintiff’s private life

Metro

‘I Have Nowhere To Go, He Married Me At 14yrs Old, Now He Wants Divorce 30yrs After’

Published

2 days ago

May 16, 2026

Editor

A 44-year-old woman, Zainab Isah, has told a Shari’a Court 1 sitting at Magajin Gari, Kaduna, Kaduna State, that she had nowhere to go after her divorce from her husband, Alhaji Abdulhamid.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Zainab told the court that Abdulhamid married her when she was 14 years old.

“I have been married to him for 30 years now and our union is blessed with 10 children,” she stated.

She further said that her husband divorced her on January 1.

“I am yet to complete my waiting period (Iddah), as required under Islam.

“I lived in peace with my co-wives but I can’t leave my children for them; three of my children are sick,” she said.

Earlier , Abdulrashid Musa, counsel to Abdulhamid, prayed the court to compel Zainab to leave his house since they were no longer married.

He said he had issued two pronouncement of divorce to the defendant.

The first, he said was pronounced on December 29, 2025, adding that she had finished her Iddah.

He stated that all efforts made by him to ensure she leaves his house, failed.

He alleged that she was causing trouble for his other wives.

The complainant however, told the court that he was ready to pay for his ex wife’s rent when she gets a new place to live with her children.

The judge, Malam Mu’awiya Shehu said the rights of a woman for shelter, feeding and other provisions by the husband ends when divorce occur adding that only the children have the right to be taken care of .

He adjourned the matter to June 1 for the defendant to find a new place she can relocate to with her children.