By SAM POPOOLA, Lagos
A Lagos radical lawyer, Chief Emefo Etudo has taken over defence of no fewer than 98 Chinese standing trial of alleged Cybercrime cases before the Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos.
TheCaveat.com.ng reports that at the mention of the case, on Friday, while Mr M. R. Bashir appeared for the EFCC, prosecuting on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mrs. B. A. Omateno announced appearance for some of the Chinese Defendants.
Chief Etudo announced his appearance for some of the Chinese Defendants, who include HE KUN & Anor, WU YONG AN (AKA ZENGA NIU) ZHAOJIN RONG, CHEN YUAN (AKA XIAO DOA) and LIN HAO BO.
The lawyer added that he had an instruction to take over the case from Mrs Omateno and that he had earlier informed his lawyer-colleague of the latest development.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke ruled that the change of defence counsel is possible but Chief Etudo should do the needful by notifying the court and the lawyer who had been in the matter before the court could recognize the change of defence lawyers.
Further hearing has been adjourned till June 20, 2025.
It would be recalled that the Court had earlier granted the EFCC an interim forfeiture order for 73 properties and several gadgets, including 1,596 linked to cybercrime and money laundering, involving Chinese suspects.
The forfeited items include 1,596 computers/laptops, 4,091 mobile phones, 350 foreign SIM cards, and 3,399 Nigerian SIM cards from various providers, including 1,122 MTN, 316 9mobile, 1,277 Airtel, and 684 Glo.
Also included are 194 routers, 205 sofas, 501 double-step bunks, 754 mattresses, 40 refrigerators, 10 microwaves, and two whiteboards.
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