The federal high court in Lagos has remanded 29 Chinese nationals, 10 Filipinos, one Malaysian, one Indonesian, and one Pakistani over alleged internet fraud.
The foreigners were arraigned on Monday before four judges.
The judges are Ayokunle Faji, Alexander Owoeye, Deinde Dipeolu, and Chukwujekwu Aneke.
The suspects were arraigned on separate charges bordering on alleged cybercrimes, cyberterrorism, impersonation, possession of documents containing false pretence and identity theft, among others.
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The defendants are Zhang Hua Zhai; Chen Xin; Li Zhen Peng; Guo Long Long; Ren Jia Wen; Zhang Jian; Zhao Ying Bin; Yu Zi (a.k.a. Wei Xue Huan); Zhang Yang; Wang Zhi Chenge; Cherry De Leon (a.k.a. Yeah De Leon); Khurram Shanzad; Fernand Fu Fang (a.k.a. Kim); Tan Soon Kar; Rex Jose Dilag (a.k.a. Madison); Jamal Polea; Kamilu Jayne Gongzalez (a.k.a. Jam Galanza); Hannah Jaramillo (a.k.a. Max Deleon); Danica Manulit (a.k.a. Dan Ruiz); Vera Dela Cris (a.k.a. Nina Vera Gonzal); Joey Gracia; Beverlyn Gumayo Casino (a.k.a. Veb Sumayo); and Tricia Jenylyn Castro (a.k.a. T.J. Castrol).
Others are: An Hongxu; Shitou Shizilong; Pan Jiong; Wanq Jia Qi; Huang Xiao Liang; Guo Giang; Wen Zong Xu; Zhon Kun Li; Huang Ren Jian; Li Jin; Deng Wen Qiang; Lu Yi Liang; Pan Cai Yu; Peng Li Jain (a.k.a. Han Li Jaun); He Kun; Zhao Jin Rong; Lin Hao Bo; Chen Fusheng and Xiang Bing.
The EFCC was represented in court by L.P. Aso, M.K. Bashir, T.J. Banjo, M.S. Owede, B. Buhari-Bala, C.C. Okezie, H.U. Kofarnaisa, and Z.B. Atiku.
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After the charges were read, all the defendants pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution counsel asked the court for trial dates and the remand of the suspects to the appropriate correctional centres.
The four judges ordered the remand of the defendants at Ikoyi and Kirikiri Correctional Centres.
Faji adjourned the trial to February 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, and 2025, while Dipeolu adjourned the case to February 7, 15, 21, 24, and 28, 2025.
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Owoeye adjourned the trial to February 20, 21, 24, 28 and March 18, 2025, while Aneke adjourned the case to March 7 for trial.
Last Friday, the court remanded 11 Chinese nationals and a Filipino at the Ikoyi and Kirikiri correctional centres over the same offences.
The defendants were among the 792 suspects arrested in Lagos by the EFCC operatives in December 2024.
The arrest was the largest single-day operation against cryptocurrency and romance scam networks by the anti-corruption agency.
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The suspects were arrested at a seven-storey building in Victoria Island, Lagos.
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