Alleged Cybercrime Involving N3.4 Billion and $2,562,203

Alleged Cybercrime Involving N3.4 Billion and $2,562,203: EFCC Calls First Witness Against Two Chinese Nationals and One Nigerian


On Monday, June 23, 2025, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) called its first prosecution witness, Chidubem Ogbura, a banker at Union Bank Plc, in the trial of Friday Audu, Huang Haoyu, and An Hongxu.

They face charges related to an alleged cybercrime amounting to N3.4 billion (approximately $2,562,203) before Justice Daniel Osiagor at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. The accused are part of a larger syndicate of 792 individuals involved in cryptocurrency investment and romance scams, who were apprehended on December 19, 2024, during a surprise operation named "Eagle Flush" conducted by EFCC agents. The defendants, along with Genting International Co. Ltd., are facing an 11-count indictment for charges that include cyber-terrorism, internet fraud, and money laundering involving a total of N3,407,824,740.78 (over three billion naira) and $2,562,203 (over two million five hundred thousand US dollars), as filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC. One specific charge states: "You, Huang Haoyu a.k.a Ken, Audu Friday, An Hongxu, Duliang Pan (currently at large), and Genting International Co. Ltd., conspired in Lagos in 2024 to unlawfully access computer systems, thus severely disrupting Nigeria's economic and social framework.

This contravenes laws against cybercrime as outlined in the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (Amended 2024), punishable under Section 18 of the same act." During the resumed proceedings on Monday, PW1, Chidubem Ogbura, was led in testimony by prosecutor Bilkisu Buhari-Bala. Ogbura recounted receiving an inquiry from EFCC on December 16, 2024, requesting an account opening package, statements, and identification certifications.

He confirmed he had provided Union Bank's response to the EFCC and explained that the individual responsible for signing the identification certificate was out of the country, leading the bank to designate him as the representative. Buhari-Bala moved to submit the documents, including the account opening package and statements from Union Bank, which the court accepted as Exhibit A. Justice Osiagor subsequently adjourned the case until July 4, 2025, for further proceedings.