A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of 109 foreigners, including citizens from China, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Brazil, Malaysia, and Myanmar, for alleged involvement in cybercrime. The defendants, recently arrested for promoting fraudulent gaming platforms, were remanded at Kuje and Suleja Correctional Centres. The court adjourned the case after discrepancies in their names were discovered on the charge sheet.
The suspects, detained in Abuja's Katampe District, face a six-count charge, including cybercrime, money laundering, and unlawfully residing in Nigeria. They are accused of operating unregistered gambling platforms, aiding in cybercrime activities, and using fraudulent data on computer networks. Their alleged activities also involved laundering proceeds from the illegal platforms.
During the hearing, the defense counsel, James Onoja, raised concerns over the incorrect names listed on the charge sheet, which the defendants revealed during their Know-Your-Customer procedures. He requested an adjournment to rectify this issue, with the prosecution agreeing and suggesting that the defendants' embassies be contacted for their travel documents.
Justice Ekerete Akpan agreed to the adjournment, citing the overcrowding and resource issues at the police facility. He instructed that the defendants be remanded at the correctional centres and set the next hearing for November 29. The case remains under investigation as the authorities continue to address the broader implications of the suspects' alleged cybercrime activities.
