Eric Patrick
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Lagos Zonal Directorate, has arraigned one Shi Yang Xiong, a Chinese and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd., before Justice D.I.Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission disclosed this in a statement shared on its Facebook page in the late hours of Tuesday.
According to the statement, Xiong is a member of the syndicate of 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud.
He was arrested on December 19, 2024 in Lagos during a surprise operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation” by operatives of the EFCC.
The suspect was arraigned on a one-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrimes and cyber-terrorism, contrary to Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as Amended, 2024) and Section 2(3) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
READ ALSO: Alleged ₦76bn, $31.5m Fraud: EFCC Opens Case Against ex-AMCON MD
The charge count read, “That you, Shi Yang Xiong and Genting International Company Limited, sometime in December 2024 at Lagos, Nigeria, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, willfully caused to be accessed, computer systems used for the purpose of destabilizing and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015 (as Amended, 2024) and Section 2(3) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
He pleaded not guilty to the offence when it was read to him.
In view of his plea, prosecution M.K. Bashir, prayed the court for a trial date and the defendant was remanded in the correctional centre.