A Chinese national wanted on tax fraud charges has been arrested in Lagos and repatriated to China in a joint operation coordinated by the Nigeria Police Force and Chinese authorities.

According to a statement issued Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the suspect, identified as Chen Gaochong, was located and detained in Lagos on June 24 following covert operations led by the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Abuja. The arrest came after a formal request from the Chinese government.

Mr. Chen was reportedly sought by the Peixian Public Security Bureau in Jiangsu Province for allegedly issuing falsified Value Added Tax invoices amounting to 4.97 million renminbi (approximately N1,057,561,330).

Chinese investigators allege that between May and August 2017, he used the names of two unrelated companies?Linhai Guangyong and Linhai Beilaisi?to generate 45 fake VAT invoices issued to Xuzhou Wanfeng Plastic Industry Company.

Officials said Mr. Chen left mainland China through Shenzhen Bay in November 2019 and subsequently fled to Hong Kong and Burkina Faso before entering Nigeria unlawfully in 2021.

The statement read, ?Following the discovery of his criminal activities, Chen Gaochong fled Mainland China on 16th November 2019 through the Shenzhen Bay port to Hong Kong, and later escaped to Burkina Faso before illegally entering Nigeria in 2021.

?He deliberately avoided renewing his international passport in an attempt to conceal his identity and evade arrest. An arrest warrant was subsequently issued by the Peixian Public Security Bureau on 9th July 2020 for his detention on suspicion of tax-related offences.?

An arrest warrant for Mr. Chen was issued by Chinese authorities in July 2020. His repatriation took place on July 3, when he was officially handed over to Chinese law enforcement personnel.

Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, stated through the release that the Force would not allow Nigeria to become a safe haven for fugitives. He said the operation underscores the importance of international cooperation in tackling cross-border crime.

The Nigeria Police confirmed its continued collaboration with international law enforcement bodies and reiterated its role in upholding mutual legal assistance obligations. (The Guardian)

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