Federal High Court Grants N1bn Bail To 109 Foreigners Accused Of Cybercrime

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail totaling N1 billion to 109 foreign nationals detained on allegations of cybercrime and hacking activities deemed a threat to national security.

Justice Ekerete Akpan, delivering the ruling on Friday, approved the bail application moved by defense counsel James Onoja, SAN, which the prosecution, represented by A. A. Egwu, did not oppose. The court ordered the defendants to present five sureties and fulfill specific conditions to secure their release.

Each surety must own a landed property within the Abuja metropolis and submit two recent passport photographs. Additionally, the defendants are required to surrender the original copies of their passports to the court’s deputy registrar. The sureties are also directed to submit their own passports to the court.

This development follows the earlier detention of the individuals amid investigations into their alleged involvement in sophisticated cybercrimes threatening Nigeria’s cybersecurity infrastructure. Further details on the case are expected to emerge.

More to follow soon.