Court grants N1bn bail to 109 foreign nationals arrested over ‘cybercrime’

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail set at N1 billion to 109 foreign nationals detained on charges of alleged cybercrime and money laundering.

On Friday, Justice Ekerete Akpan approved the bail, requiring five sureties for the defendants.

Each surety must possess landed property valued at N200 million, with original and verified documents to be deposited with the court’s deputy registrar. Additionally, the sureties must surrender their international passports to the court.

Until they fulfill the bail conditions, the defendants will remain in custody at Keffi Correctional Centre, Nasarawa State. The next hearing is scheduled for February 27, 2025.

Earlier, on November 22, the suspects were remanded at the Kuje and Suleja Correctional Centres. The Inspector-General of Police had filed a six-count charge against them, which included accusations of illegal residency in Nigeria.

The arraignment process faced delays due to the absence of interpreters and legal representation. On November 3, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) reported the arrest of 130 individuals for high-level cybercrimes, hacking, and activities threatening national security.

According to Muyiwa Adejobi, the force spokesperson, those arrested include 113 foreign nationals (87 males and 26 females) and 17 Nigerian accomplices (four males and 13 females).