A Federal High Court in Abuja recently granted bail set at ₦1 billion to 109 alleged foreign hackers who were arrested on charges of cybercrime, money laundering, and illegal residency in Nigeria. The individuals, who include nationals from China, Brazil, Vietnam, and Indonesia, were accused of operating fraudulent gambling platforms and transferring proceeds out of the country. They were apprehended at a location in the Katampe District of Abuja.
The suspects were initially detained in police facilities, where authorities highlighted difficulties in managing the large number of detainees. Justice Ekerete Akpan directed that male defendants be moved to Kuje Prison in Abuja and females to Suleja Prison in Niger State, while bail applications and other trial processes proceed. Defense counsels have raised concerns about discrepancies in the defendants’ identities and safety issues for some of them.
