The trial, scheduled to begin on Monday, May 12, could not proceed due to the absence of the presiding judge, Justice Ekerete Akpan.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has set July 2 and 3, 2025, for the trial of 109 foreign nationals accused of engaging in high-level cybercrime and hacking activities allegedly posing a threat to Nigeria’s national security.
The trial, scheduled to begin on Monday, May 12, could not proceed due to the absence of the presiding judge, Justice Ekerete Akpan.
Though the case was the only matter listed on the court’s cause list for the day, it was adjourned to the new dates as the judge was said to be attending to another official assignment.
The defendants, all of whom pleaded not guilty, were arraigned on a six-count charge in 2024.
The charge, filed by the office of the Inspector-General of Police and marked FHC/ABJ/CR/599/2024, includes allegations of cybercrime, money laundering, and unlawful residence in Nigeria.
The foreign nationals, reportedly citizens of China, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Brazil, Malaysia, and Myanmar, were arrested at a residential property located at Plot 1906, Cadastral Zone 807, Katampe District, Abuja.
Authorities claimed they were operating a fraudulent and unregistered online gaming platform from the premises.
The charges include accusations of aiding and abetting cybercrime, contrary to Section 27 (1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2024).
They are also alleged to have accessed computer networks and input inauthentic data “with the intention that such data will be considered or acted upon as if it were authentic or genuine,” an offence under Section 13 of the same Act.
In addition, the defendants are accused of removing proceeds from Nigeria obtained through fraudulent gaming platforms including 9f.com, c2.top, and 8pg.top, an act said to contravene Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Further, they allegedly violated immigration laws by overstaying their 30-day business permits.
According to prosecutors, this breaches Section 4 (2) and is punishable under Section 44 (1)(c) of the Immigration Act, 2015.
Justice Akpan had, on November 29, 2024, granted each defendant bail in the sum of N1 billion, with five sureties.
The court ruled that each surety must own landed property valued at no less than N200 million and must submit original and verified documentation to the deputy registrar.
Their international passports are also to be deposited.
Pending the fulfillment of these bail conditions, the male defendants are being held at Kuje Correctional Centre while the female defendants are remanded at Keffi Correctional Centre in Nasarawa State.
The case is set to resume on July 2, as the court prepares to open a trial on what is considered one of the largest cybercrime cases in Nigeria’s recent history.
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