The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed July 2 and 3, 2025, for the trial of 109 foreign nationals accused of large-scale cybercrime, hacking, and money laundering activities allegedly threatening Nigeria’s national security.
The case, which was the only matter listed for Monday’s proceedings, could not proceed due to the absence of Justice Ekerete Akpan, who was reportedly engaged in another official assignment.
The defendants—citizens of China, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Brazil, Malaysia, and Myanmar—were arrested in 2024 at their residence in Plot 1906, Cadastral Zone 807, Katampe District, Abuja. They allegedly operated fraudulent and unregistered online gambling platforms, including 9f.com, c2.top, 8pg.top, and you.
On November 29, 2024, Justice Akpan granted the accused bail at N1 billion, with stringent conditions including five sureties required, each possessing a landed property worth N200 million. Original and verified property documents must be deposited with the court’s deputy registrar, and sureties must surrender their international passports.
While the male defendants were remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre, the female defendants were ordered to be held at Keffi Correctional Centre, Nasarawa State, pending the perfection of their bail terms.
The defendants, who pleaded not guilty, face a six-count charge filed by the Inspector-General of Police, including cybercrime for conspiring to commit cyber offenses under Section 27(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).
They are also charged with unauthorized data manipulation for accessing computer systems to input false data under Section 13 of the Cybercrimes Act, and money laundering for transferring proceeds from illegal gambling platforms, violating Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Additionally, they face immigration violations for overstaying their 30-day business permits, contravening Section 4(2) and punishable under Section 44(1)(c) of the Immigration Act, 2015.
The adjournment to July 2–3, 2025, allows for further legal preparations. If convicted, the defendants could face severe penalties, including lengthy prison terms and asset forfeiture.
This case highlights Nigeria’s intensified crackdown on cybercrime, particularly cases involving foreign nationals operating sophisticated fraud networks. The trial’s outcome could set a precedent for future prosecutions under Nigeria’s amended cybercrime laws.
Key details of the case include the Federal High Court, Abuja as the venue, Justice Ekerete Akpan presiding, 109 foreign defendants from eight countries, with the next hearing scheduled for July 2–3, 2025. The charges include cybercrime, money laundering, and immigration violations.
Quotes from the charges state: “They aided, abetted, and conspired to commit cybercrime,” and “They removed from Nigeria proceeds generated from operating fraudulent and unregistered gambling platforms,” as well as “They entered Nigeria with a 30-day business permit and failed to leave upon expiration.”
