Federal High Court Grants N1bn Bail to 109 Foreign Nationals in Cybercrime Case
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail of N1 billion to 109 foreign nationals accused of participating in high-level cybercrime and hacking activities that allegedly threaten Nigeria’s security.
Justice Ekerete Akpan delivered the ruling on Friday, approving a bail application submitted by defense counsel James Onoja, SAN. The prosecution, represented by A.A. Egwu, did not oppose the request. The court mandated that each of the defendants present five sureties along with the bail sum, stipulating that the sureties must own landed property in the Abuja area.
Additionally, each surety is required to provide two recent passport photographs, and the defendants must submit their original passports to the court’s deputy registrar. The sureties must also surrender their passports to the court.
Following the defendants’ plea, Onoja requested the court to consider the bail application, emphasizing that the primary purpose of bail is to ensure that the defendants appear for their trial, as stipulated by law and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. He proposed that all travel documents be turned over, assuring that the defendants could not abscond without them, and expressed readiness to provide five reliable sureties.
Defense counsel Eric Oba, representing the 100th to 104th defendants, supported Onoja’s bail request, even though he had not initially sought bail for his clients. The prosecution confirmed that they had no objections and reiterated their interest in ensuring the defendants’ presence at trial.
While expressing concerns about the risk of flight, Justice Akpan noted Onoja’s assurance regarding the surrendering of passports. He acknowledged the importance of allowing the defendants to prepare for their defense, stating that they are considered innocent until proven guilty under Nigerian law. The judge pointed out that the charges against these foreign defendants are not capital offenses, which makes them eligible for bail under specific conditions.
Pending the fulfillment of the bail requirements, the court ordered the male defendants to be remanded at Kuje prison, while the female defendants will be held at Keffi prison in Nasarawa State. The case has been adjourned until February 27, 2025, for trial.
All 109 defendants are facing charges related to cybercrime’s allegedly committed in Katampe, Abuja, in 2024.
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