Court remands 109 foreign nationals in prison over ‘fraudulent gambling’ charges in Nigeria

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of 109 foreign nationals (from China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Brazil, Myanmar and Thailand) at the Nigerian Correctional Centers in Kuje and Suleja, following a police case of alleged fraudulent gambling in Nigeria.

Justice Ekerete Akpan on Friday remanded the defendants in custody following an agreement by the lawyers in the case.

The case stems from the recent arrest of foreign nationals suspected of engaging in activities that threaten national security, including cybercrime, according to a statement by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer at the Force Headquarters.

The facts of the case

According to the six-count indictment, the 109 defendants were accused by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of entering the Federal Republic of Nigeria in September 2024 with a business permit valid for 30 days, failing to leave Nigeria or having neglected. on expiry of the permit and remaining in the country without a valid residence permit or appropriate visa in breach of the Immigration Act 2015.

They were also charged with knowingly accessing computers and networks, altering, deleting or suppressing data resulting in inauthentic information, with the intent that such inauthentic data be taken or acted upon as genuine or genuine, contrary to Section 13 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (amended, 2024).

The police further accused them of siphoning the proceeds from operating fraudulent and unregistered gambling platforms, including 9f.com, cz.top and 8pg.top, out of Nigeria, thereby committing money laundering.

The police alleged that the suspects, with intent to defraud, promoted fraudulent and unregistered gambling platforms through electronic messages on the Internet, materially misrepresenting facts about the platforms, in violation of relevant laws.

What happened in court

At the resumption of the hearing, James Onoja SAN, counsel for most of the defendants (including Chinese, Indonesians and others), informed the court that in conducting Know-Your-Customer (KYC) procedures for his clients, he discovered that their actual names were not reflected on the charge sheet.

“This information came to light when we were discussing possible bail conditions for the defendants. I told them the court would ask for their travel documents and they said the names on the charge sheet were not their names.” he said.

Onoja said he discussed the matter with the prosecutor, suggesting that they request the defendants’ travel documents so that their proper names can be reflected on the charge sheet. He emphasized that it is the responsibility of the defendants to produce the correct travel documents so that the plea and trial can proceed smoothly.

He proposed that the trial be postponed in the interest of justice.

A. Egwu, counsel to the IGP, responded that the court could issue an order for the defendants’ respective embassies to provide them with their travel documents.

“We do not oppose the postponement request,he said.

Egwu also drew the court’s attention to an earlier ex-parte motion which requested that the defendants be moved from the police facility and remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Center pending the determination of their bail.
He explained that the police unit was overstretched and under-resourced.
Eric Obah, representing defendants 100 to 104 (Brazilians), said he had no objection to Onoja’s claims but asked for a separate trial for his clients.
Onoja also agreed that the defendants be remanded to the correctional facility for their safety.
In response to the submissions of the parties, the judge stated that given the position of the police on the condition of its facility, it was appropriate to remand the defendants at the Nigerian Correctional Centres.

The judge adjourned the trial to allow the parties to address the issue of the names of the defendants.

“Both requests are accepted. This file is adjourned to November 29 for the arraignment of the defendants.” the judge said, ordering the defendants to be remanded to Kuje and Suleja Correctional Centres, respectively.

What you should know

In a statement titled “The IGP orders a thorough investigation into possible security threats, networks.” police indicated that the suspects’ alleged involvement in high-level cybercrime and activities that threaten national security will be thoroughly investigated.

“This strategic operation was carried out through a coordinated raid on a building in the Next Cash and Carry area of Jahi, Abuja, where the suspects were using computers and other sophisticated devices to facilitate criminal activities. The operation, led by the Assistant Inspector General of Police for Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, AIG Benneth Igweh, on Saturday, November 3, 2024, involved officers from the Zone 7 Command of the Nigeria Police Force Abuja and the National Cyber Crime Center (NPF) . -NCCC),” the disclosed statement.

The Nigeria Police Force Command Abuja, specifically the National Cyber Crime Center (NPF-NCCC), is Nigeria’s premier cyber crime prevention and enforcement authority dedicated to safeguarding digital spaces and protecting citizens from online criminal activities.
While police statements against the suspects remain charges, the police’s stance on cybercrime offenses in court has been strict.

At a recent event, Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Chief Executive of the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS), disclosed that in Nigeria, the cyber crime landscape remains particularly challenging, with “Businesses facing an alarming average of 2,560 cyber attacks every week.”