A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted bail to 109 alleged foreign hackers accused of attempting to defraud Nigerians, setting the total bail at N1 billion.
The defendants, who were previously held in prison custody, must each produce five sureties, with each surety required to provide a sum of N200 million.
The court further stipulated that the sureties must own properties within the Abuja metropolitan area valued at no less than N200 million and submit the title deeds for verification.
Additionally, all defendants were ordered to surrender their international passports and prohibited from traveling abroad until the completion of their trial.
The court 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 until February 27, 2025.
The defendants—who are from various countries including China, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Brazil, Malaysia, and Myanmar—face six charges filed against them by the Nigeria Police Force’s Cybercrime Unit.
Represented by a legal team led by Dr. Ogwu Onoja, SAN, and Eric Oba, the defendants requested bail pending the hearing of their case and assured the court of their commitment to standing trial. They also expressed their intention to remain in the country.
The prosecution counsel, Mr. A.A. Egwu, left the bail decision to the court’s discretion but urged the imposition of stringent conditions to ensure the defendants’ attendance at trial.
The defendants have pleaded not guilty to charges, which were translated into their respective languages through interpreters. Notably, five Brazilian defendants had previously requested to be tried separately.
According to the police, the defendants were arrested at a building located at Plot 1906, Cadastral Zone 807, Katampe District in Abuja, where they were allegedly engaged in cybercrime activities. They are also facing charges of money laundering and illegal residence in Nigeria.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/599/2024, the police allege that the defendants conspired to commit cybercrime, in violation of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (amended in 2024). They are accused of unlawfully accessing computer networks, manipulating data, and promoting fraudulent gambling platforms that resulted in significant financial losses.
The police further allege that the defendants transferred proceeds from their fraudulent gambling operations out of Nigeria, constituting money laundering in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. They are also accused of entering Nigeria on temporary business permits and overstaying their visas, violating the Immigration Act, 2015.
The full list of defendants includes individuals from multiple countries, including China, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, and Brazil, among others.