Federal Court Remands 109 Foreign Nationals in Cybercrime Case in Abuja
The Federal High Court in Abuja has remanded 109 foreign nationals in prison custody for their involvement in a cybercrime syndicate that attempted to defraud Nigerians. The defendants, who hail from countries such as China, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Brazil, Malaysia, and Myanmar, are facing multiple charges, including cybercrime, money laundering, and illegal residency in Nigeria. They were arrested by the Cybercrime Unit of the Nigeria Police Force at a building in Abuja where they were allegedly operating fraudulent online gambling platforms.
The male defendants have been remanded at Kuje prison in Abuja, while the female defendants are to be held at the Suleja prison in Niger State, pending their formal arraignment. The court has adjourned the case until next Friday to allow the defendants to enter their pleas. During the proceedings, five Brazilian nationals requested a separate trial, citing fears for their safety after making extra-judicial statements to the police that allegedly angered other defendants.
The case also saw requests from the defense counsel for delays in the arraignment, citing discrepancies in the names of some of the defendants and the lack of proper travel documents. The prosecution has urged the court to proceed with the remand, citing concerns over overcrowding at the police facility where the defendants were initially held. The court has instructed the Brazilian defendants’ counsel to file a formal application for severance of their trial, while also allowing other defendants to provide their travel documents for accurate identification.
The defendants face serious charges under the Cybercrimes Act, including conspiracy to commit cybercrime, fraudulent data manipulation, and promoting unregistered gambling platforms that defrauded individuals both within and outside Nigeria. They are also accused of money laundering and overstaying their visas in Nigeria. The case highlights the increasing global threat of cybercrime and the Nigerian government’s efforts to combat fraudulent online activities.
