The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to 109 foreign nationals accused of involvement in cybercrimes. The accused individuals, hailing from countries such as China, Indonesia, Brazil, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand, were admitted to bail on Friday under stringent conditions.
Justice Ekerete Akpan ruled that the defendants must provide five sureties each, with each surety owning landed property in Abuja worth N200 million. The court emphasized that the defendants and their sureties must submit original travel documents and property titles to the registrar, in addition to two passport-sized photographs.
“The law presumes the defendants innocent until proven otherwise,” Justice Akpan said, explaining his decision to grant bail despite the foreign status of the accused.
Bail Terms
The bail was set at N1 billion, with each defendant required to fulfill individual conditions, including:
• Producing five sureties, each owning property worth N200 million in Abuja.
• Submitting an affidavit of means and travel documents.
• Remaining within Nigeria for the trial’s duration.Justice Akpan stated, “The purpose of bail is to allow defendants to prepare their defense, and granting bail is at the court’s discretion.”
Remand Pending Bail Fulfillment
Until the conditions are met, the male defendants are to remain at the Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja, while female defendants will be held at Keffi Correctional Center in Nasarawa State.
Charges and Trial
The accused are facing a six-count charge filed by the Inspector General of Police, alleging their involvement in cybercrimes committed in Abuja earlier in 2024. The defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Their trial is set to commence on February 27, 2025, with further proceedings expected to shed light on the allegations.
