Alleged cybercrime: Court grants 109 foreigners N1bn bail

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday admitted 109 foreign nationals allegedly involved in cybercrimes to bail in the sum of N1 billion.

They were granted bail following an application to that effect argued on their behalf by Dr. Ogwu James Onoja, SAN.

Justice Ekerete Akpan, while ruling on the bail application, ordered that all 109 defendants produce five sureties in the sum of N200 million each. The sureties must be residents of Abuja and must own landed property worth N200 million each.

They are also required to swear to an affidavit of means and submit the original copies of their property documents to the court, which shall be verified by the registrar.

Justice Akpan further ordered that the accused persons and their sureties must submit all their original travel documents to the court registrar and must not leave Nigeria throughout the period of their trial.

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The judge, who noted that the defendants and sureties must submit two recent passport-sized photographs to the court, agreed with Onoja that the purpose of bail is to allow defendants to prepare their defense and that granting bail is at the court’s discretion.

The judge stated that he was mindful of the fact that the accused persons are foreigners but emphasized that the law presumes them innocent until proven otherwise.

Pending the fulfillment of the bail conditions, Justice Akpan ordered that the male defendants be remanded at Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja, while the female defendants are to be held at Keffi Correctional Center in Nasarawa State.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) is prosecuting the 109 defendants on a six-count charge related to cybercrimes allegedly committed in Abuja in 2024.

The defendants, who are primarily nationals of China, Indonesia, Brazil, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Justice Akpan has scheduled their trial for February 27, 2025.