The Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the detention of 109 foreign nationals accused of orchestrating a large-scale cybercrime operation targeting Nigerians. The defendants, citizens of China, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Brazil, Malaysia, and Myanmar, face a six-count charge from the Cybercrime Unit of the Nigeria Police Force.
Justice Ekerete Akpan ruled on Friday, November 22, that the male defendants be held at Kuje Prison in Abuja, while female defendants are to be detained at Suleja Prison in Niger State until their arraignment. The case was adjourned to the following Friday, allowing the defendants to formally enter their pleas.
In a twist, five Brazilian defendants requested separate proceedings, citing fears for their safety. Their lawyer, Eric Oba, informed the court that his clients—Lucas Costa Da Silver, Renan Ricardo Souza Rocha, Nelson Rocha Cardoso Neto, Rhuan Filippe Albuquerque Le Lonnes, and Aguiar Rodrigues Djeanne—had experienced threats from co-defendants following extra-judicial statements they provided. “The other defendants developed ill-feelings for them after the statements. My clients are afraid for their safety and wish to remain at the police facility,” Oba explained. He further requested the return of the Brazilians’ passports to the Brazilian government, noting that their employer had seized them upon arrival in Nigeria.
Representing the remaining defendants, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) James Onoja urged the court to delay the arraignment, highlighting discrepancies in the defendants' names on the charge sheet. “My lord, I believe that the defendants’ proper names must be verified through their travel documents before proceeding,” Onoja argued.
Prosecuting counsel A.A. Egwu supported the adjournment, citing challenges in housing the defendants, noting that police facilities were overwhelmed. “My lord, our resources are stretched. We don’t have the capacity to hold this many individuals,” he said, to which Onoja added, “I saw the situation firsthand yesterday. It’s not suitable; the police lack the infrastructure to accommodate the defendants.”
The court ordered the prosecution to ensure that defendants provide valid travel documents and allowed the submission of a formal application to separate the trial for the Brazilian nationals. The accused were apprehended in a Katampe District building in Abuja, allegedly engaging in cybercrime operations.
Charges against the defendants include cybercrime, money laundering, and overstaying their visas in violation of the Immigration Act. According to police, the group engaged in fraudulent schemes through unregistered online gambling platforms such as 9f.com, c2.top, and 8pg.top, deceiving users and sending profits outside Nigeria. They reportedly promoted these platforms as legitimate via electronic messaging, manipulating users to incur financial losses.
This high-profile case has attracted widespread attention as Nigerian authorities work to address and combat cybercrime and its implications for the nation’s security and economy.
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