The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, November 22, ordered the remand of 109 foreign nationals accused of attempting to defraud Nigerians through cybercrime.
The defendants, hailing from China, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Brazil, Malaysia, and Myanmar, face a six-count charge filed by the Cybercrime Unit of the Nigeria Police Force.
Justice Ekerete Akpan directed that male defendants be held at Kuje Prison, Abuja, while female defendants were to be detained at Suleja Prison, Niger State, pending their arraignment. The court adjourned the matter to the following Friday to allow the accused to enter their pleas.
Brazilian Defendants Seek Separate Trial
Five Brazilian defendants, identified as Lucas Costa Da Silver, Renan Ricardo Souza Rocha, Nelson Rocha Cardoso Neto, Rhuan Filippe Albuquerque Le Lonnes, and Aguiar Rodrigues Djeanne, requested a separate trial citing safety concerns. Their counsel, Eric Oba, told the court that tensions arose after his clients made extra-judicial statements that allegedly upset their co-defendants. Oba also requested that the defendants’ passports be returned to the Brazilian government, noting that their employer had seized them upon their arrival in Nigeria.
Defense Seeks Arraignment Delay
James Onoja, SAN, representing the other defendants, requested a postponement of the arraignment due to discrepancies in the charge sheet. He emphasized the need to verify travel documents to ensure accuracy in their names. The prosecution counsel, A.A. Egwu, supported the adjournment but highlighted logistical challenges in accommodating the large number of defendants.
“My lord, we are currently overwhelmed. We don’t have the facility to house all the defendants,” Egwu stated. Defense counsel Onoja corroborated this, describing overcrowded conditions at the police facility.
Charges Against the Defendants
The defendants were apprehended in a building in Katampe District, Abuja, allegedly used for cybercrime operations. They are accused of committing cybercrime, money laundering, and overstaying their visas.
According to the prosecution, the group promoted fraudulent gambling platforms such as 9f.com, c2.top, and 8pg.top, misrepresenting them as legitimate while transferring illicit proceeds out of Nigeria.
