By Bayero Ade
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to 109 foreign hackers accused of attempting to defraud Nigerians, setting the total bail at N1 billion.
The court, presided over by Justice Ekerete Akpan, ordered that each defendant must produce five sureties, with each surety required to provide N200 million. The sureties must own properties within the Abuja metropolitan area valued at no less than N200 million, and title deeds must be submitted for verification.
In addition, the court ordered all defendants to surrender their international passports and prohibited them from leaving the country until the conclusion of their trial. It was also directed that the male defendants be held at Kuje Prison, while the female defendants are to be detained at Keffi Prison in Nasarawa State.
The case has been adjourned to February 27, 2025, for trial.
The defendants, who are nationals from China, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Brazil, Malaysia, and Myanmar, face multiple charges, including cybercrime, money laundering, and illegal residence in Nigeria. The charges were filed by the Nigeria Police Force’s Cybercrime Unit.
Representing the defendants, Dr. Ogwu Onoja, SAN, and Eric Oba requested bail, assuring the court that their clients were willing to face trial and would not flee the country.
Prosecution counsel, Mr. A.A. Egwu, stated that he would leave the decision on bail to the court’s discretion but urged the imposition of stringent conditions to ensure the defendants attend their trial.
The defendants, through interpreters, pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include conspiracy to commit cybercrime, unlawfully accessing computer networks, and manipulating data. They are accused of promoting fraudulent, unregistered gambling platforms, causing financial losses both within Nigeria and abroad.
The police allege that the hackers operated gambling platforms such as 9f.com, c2.top, and 8pg.top, and transferred the illicit gains out of Nigeria, constituting money laundering. They also face charges for overstaying their temporary business permits in Nigeria.
The court will continue the trial in February 2025.
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