Chinese reject interpreter, case adjourned

A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday adjourned the trial of Chinese nationals arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged cybercrimes.

Justice Ayokunle Faji adjourned till March 4 and 5 to get a preferred interpreter after the defendants rejected the one the court got for them.

The defendants are: Zhao Ying Bin, Yuzi (aka Wei Xuehuan), Zhang Yang, Weng Zhi Cheng and Genting International Co. Limited.

Prosecution counsel Hannatu Kofanaisa sought to proceed with the trial.

But defence counsel, N. Abraham, urged the court to adjourn in compliance with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which provides that every defendant must be given adequate facilities to defend himself.

The EFCC said the defendants “willfully caused to be accessed computer systems organised to seriously destabilise the constitutional structure of Nigeria”.

It said they also employed Nigerian youths for identity theft with the intent to gain financial advantage.

The offence is punishable under Section 18 of the Cybercrimes Prohibition Act, 2015. (Amended, 2024).

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