The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a Chinese national, Liu Beixiang, also known as Lao Liu, before Ayokule Faji, Justice of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, for allegedly giving false information to an officer of the Commission.
According to a statement by Dele Oyewale, EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Liu is facing a one-count charge under Section 16 (1) of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004.
The charge alleges that Liu, in December 2024, knowingly provided false information to a federal officer in the course of official duties.
According to EFCC, Liu pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him. In response, prosecution counsel, Babatunde Sonoiki, requested a trial date and asked that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility.
However, Liu’s defence counsel, F.A. Dalmeda, informed the court of a pending plea bargain application and a motion for bail, which the EFCC had just responded to.
Faji subsequently adjourned the case to June 23, 2025, for a report on the plea bargain and ordered that Liu be remanded in a correctional centre.
In a related development, the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the EFCC arrested 17 individuals suspected of internet fraud in Akwa Ibom State.
The arrests, carried out in multiple sting operations between April 11 and 14, took place in Use-Offot Nwaniba, Urua Ekpa, Ring Road 3, Ikot Ekpene Road, Calabar Itu Road, and the Mechanic Village area of Uyo.
“Those arrested include: Osita Emmanuel (25), Saint Johnson (20), Peter Lucky (26), Samuel Asuquo (28), Raphael James (29), Chimobi Moses (29), Edara Ubong (21), Nchekwube Paul (23), Happiness Anietie Michael (23), Christopher Edet (32), Amadi Justice (27), Patrick Ahiakwo (30), Sunday Umoh (24), Michael Ekerette Sunday (25), Kennedy Etim Okokon (29), Igwe Greg (30), and Goodnews Ita (23).
“Recovered items include 26 smartphones, three laptops, and four vehicles: a white Lexus IS 250 (ABJ-739AV), a grey Toyota Corolla (KTE-687EP), a black Lexus 350 (BWR-36LN), and a black Mercedes-Benz GLE (FST-863JS)”, the statement reads.
The statement added that the suspects will be charged in court once investigations are concluded.
