The scheduled arraignment of 34-year-old Chinese national Liao Zhang alongside a company, Genting International Co. Limited, over the alleged use of a computer to destabilise Nigeria’s constitutional structure, was on Tuesday stalled due to the absence of legal representation.
Zhang and Genting International Co. Limited were brought before the Federal High Court in Lagos by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
When asked if he had a lawyer to represent him, Zhang informed the court that he did not have legal counsel.
He was further questioned about whether he could contact family or friends to help him secure a lawyer, to which he responded that he could not remember anyone and did not have his phone with him.
Justice Olayinka Faji, who presided over the case, then asked Zhang how long he had been in Nigeria.
He replied that he had been in the country for six months, residing in hotels.
When asked what he had been doing during his time in Nigeria, Zhang said he had been searching for a job throughout his stay.
He further explained that when he first arrived in Nigeria, he intended to start a business but had found himself in his current predicament instead.
“I have been looking for a job for the past six months in Nigeria. Initially, when I arrived in Nigeria, I wanted to start a business, but I found myself here,” Zhang said.
Earlier when the case was called the EFCC’s counsel, Temitope Banjo, announced his appearance for the prosecution, while the defendant had no legal representation.
The EFCC charged Zhang with offences allegedly committed in December 2024.
The commission accused Zhang of deliberately accessing a computer system with the intent to destabilise and destroy Nigeria’s economy and social structure.
According to the EFCC, Zhang’s actions contravened sections 18 and 27 of the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act 2015, as well as section 2(3) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
Justice Faji also asked the prosecutor, Banjo, to provide proof of service for the company, Genting International Co. Limited, the second defendant.
The case was adjourned until March 13, 2025, for the presentation of evidence of service for Genting International Co. Limited and the possible arraignment of Zhang.
In another case involving a Chinese national, Zhang Hua Zhai, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission urged the court not to grant him bail, citing concerns that he is a flight risk. When the case was called before the Federal High Court in Lagos, the EFCC’s counsel, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari, announced her appearance for the prosecution, while Mr Olumide Olaiya appeared for the defence.
Buhari informed the court that the case was for trial and the prosecution was ready to proceed with the trial.
However, Olaiya told the court that he had filed a motion for bail on behalf of the defendant, which had been served to the prosecution.
Olaiya explained that the bail application, dated February 1, 2025, sought to have Zhai granted bail on liberal terms.
The defence counsel further submitted that the bail application had a written address dated February 14, 2025, and that they were relying on all 10 grounds in the application.
Olaiya argued: “We urge the court to grant the defendant bail; he has a passport and credible sureties.”
In response, the prosecutor, Mrs. Buhari, opposed the bail application, stressing that Zhai was a flight risk.
She stated: “We do not have the defendant’s passport. He arrived on a visiting visa, as he has stated, and he even escaped from his own country. It is in our affidavit that if the defendant is released, my lord, we will not be able to locate him.”
Buhari said, “We humbly pray that the bail application be denied.”
After hearing the submissions from both the prosecution and defence, Justice Olayinka Faji adjourned the case until March 18, 2025, for a ruling on the bail application and the commencement of the trial.
