Trial of 109 foreign cybercrime-linked operators in Nigeria, delayed
The trial of 109 foreign nationals charged with high-profile cybercrime and hacking offenses was once again adjourned at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The matter, which was meant to be heard before Justice Ekerete Akpan, was stalled because the prosecuting counsel for the Inspector-General of Police was not present.
The court was informed that the prosecution had written a letter stating unavailability due to an official task and was seeking an adjournment. Defence counsel Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, resisted the adjournment, citing readiness to go on. Justice Akpan, observing that it was the first time the prosecution had requested an adjournment, granted the adjournment in the interest of justice and scheduled the trial for 22 October and 23, 2025.
Background of the cybercrime case
The defendants, who are nationals from Indonesia, Vietnam, China, the Philippines, Thailand, Brazil, Malaysia, and Myanmar, were arrested in 2024 at their house in Plot 1906, Cadastral Zone 807, Katampe District, Abuja. They are accused of committing cybercrime by advertising fraudulent and unregistered gaming sites, such as 9f.com, c2.top, and 8pg.top. The six-count charge brought against them comprises cybercrime, money laundering, and illegal residence in Nigeria. The defendants have all entered a plea of not guilty.
Bail conditions and remand
On 29 November 2024, Justice Akpan granted the defendants bail in the sum of ?1 billion ($656,269) and demanded five sureties with landed property valued at ?200 million ($131,111) each. The sureties were ordered to submit original and confirmed property documents to the deputy registrar of the court and forfeit their international passports. Pending compliance with the conditions, male defendants were detained in Kuje Correctional Centre, and female defendants were kept at Keffi Correctional Centre in Nasarawa State.
Legal allegations and charges
The accusations against the defendants are severe, ranging from:
- Cybercrime: For allegedly assisting, supporting, and conspiring to commit cybercrime, contrary to Section 27(1)(b) of the
- Data manipulation: Tapping into computer networks and introducing false data meant to be taken as real, in violation of Section 13 of the same Act.
- Money laundering: Withdrawing proceeds from running fraudulent and unregistered gambling sites, contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
- Immigration violations: Overstaying their 30-day business permits, breaching Section 4(2), which is punishable under Section 44(1)(c) of the
Past delays in proceedings
This latest adjournment is not the first in the matter. On May 12, 2025, the trial was adjourned due to Justice Akpan’s absence on an official assignment, and the case was rescheduled for July 2 and 3. On November 22, 2024, the arraignment was also stalled because of a mismatch in the names of the defendants on the charge sheet and challenges with their representation.
Implications of the delays
The successive adjournments have raised questions about the effectiveness of the judicial process in managing cases of such magnitude. Frustration has been voiced by the defence over the delays, asserting their preparedness to move forward. The failure of the prosecution to appear and the resulting adjournments highlight the difficulty in synchronizing complicated international cases with several defendants and jurisdictions.
New trial dates in place
As the trial is now scheduled for October 22 and 23, all parties are expected to be ready to proceed without unnecessary delays. The case continues to be a major test of the ability of Nigeria’s legal system to try sophisticated cybercrime cases with foreign nationals. The result of this trial would have far-reaching repercussions for the nation’s strategy in dealing with cybercrime and its dedication to maintaining justice amidst global criminal offenses.
