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Alleged cybercrime: Whereabouts of 24 foreign hackers unknown, police tells court

The police, on Thursday, told a Federal High Court in Abuja that the whereabouts of 24 foreigner hackers being prosecuted on allegations bordering on cybercrime was unknown.

The police lawyer, Victor Okoye, told Justice Ekerete Akpan at the resumed hearing of their trial, after at least 85 of the defendants were recently convicted, fined and ordered to be deported.

Okoye said the 24 foreigners were yet to be apprehended by the security agency.

“My lord, the defendants are at large and we are yet to apprehend them,” he had said.

It will be recalled that Justice Akpan had, about two months ago, convicted 21 of the 109 foreign nationals being charged and fined them N1 million each, after they opted for a plea bargain agreement.

The judge, who alternatively ordered them to serve a one-year jail term, also ordered their deportation from Nigeria after meeting the judgment terms.

He further directed that all the gadgets used in the commission of the crimes should be forfeited to the Federal Government.

Justice Akpan also, on Oct. 14, convicted a set of another 59 of the foreign hackers on the same plea bargain deal with the Nigerian Police Force, leaving 24 defendants who chose to face the trial.

The judge then adjourned the matter until Oct. 22 and Oct. 23 for trial of the 24 defendants.

When the matter came up on Wednesday, the defendants were not in court and the matter was adjourned until Thursday.

However, upon resumed hearing on Thursday, Okoye told the court that the defendants were still at large and that the police were yet to apprehend them.

The lawyer informed the court that he had an amended charge and that he was ready to proceed.

Justice Akpan told him that his amended charge cannot be taken when the defendants were not in court.

Okoye then sought an adjournment to do the needful and the judge adjourned the matter until Dec. 10 for hearing.

The Inspector General (I-G) of Police had, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/599/2024, sued the 109 foreigners and were arraigned on six counts.

The defendants, include nationals of China, Indonesia, Brazil, the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand, had pleaded not guilty to the counts and were remanded in correctional centres.

Justice Akpan had, on Nov. 29, 2024, admitted them to a N1 billion bail with five sureties each.

The judge, who granted them bail, directed that the five sureties must have a landed property worth N200, 000 million each.

Justice Akpan directed that the sureties must deposit the original and verified documents of their landed property with the deputy registrar of the court.

The judge also directed the sureties to deposit their international passports.

While the male defendants were remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre, the court held that the female defendants should be kept at Keffi Correctional Centre in Nasarawa State pending the perfection of their bail terms.

The defendants, who had met their bail terms, were, in 2024, arrested by the police.

They were apprehended in their residence at Plot 1906, Cadestral Zone 807, Katampe District of Abuja, where they were said to be engaging in cybercrime by allegedly promoting “a fraudulent and unregistered gaming platform.”

In the six-count charge, the foreigners were charged with cybercrime, money laundering and unlawfully residing in Nigeria, etc.

In one of the counts, they were alleged to have aided, abetted, conspired among themselves “to commit an offence, to wit; cybercrime.”

They were alleged to have commited the offence contrary to and punishable under Section 27 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).

They were also alleged to have accessed a computer network and input with the intention that such inauthentic data will be considered or acted upon as If they were authentic or genuine.

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 13 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (As Amended, 2024).

Again, they were alleged to have removed “from Nigeria proceeds generated from operating a fraudulent and unregistered gambling platforms.

“These platforms are 9f.com, c2.top, 8pg.top and you thereby commit money laundering, contrary to and punishable under Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

The defendants were also accused of entering “the territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a business permit of 30 days duration and failed to leave the Nigerian territory at the expiration of the said permit.

The offence is contrary to the provisions of Section 4 (2) and punishable under Section 44 (1) (c) of the Immigration Act 2015.”

News

Lagos Court Jails Train Driver 18 Months for N6.9m Theft

Justice Rahman Osodi of the Special offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, October 20,2025, convicted and sentenced one Christopher Ekene Ofielu, a driver with the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, to 18 months imprisonment for N6.9m theft.

The 39-year-old convict was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and possession to the tune of N6,995,944( Six Million Nine Hundred and Ninety Five Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty Four Naira only)

One of the counts reads: “That you, Christopher Ekene Ofielu, on or about October 2023, Lagos, within this honourable court, used your Habaripay Squad account created for criminal activity and transferred the sum of N6,995,944 into your Access Bank account 14864072356, property of HabariPay Ltd.”

He pleaded “guilty” to the charges when they were read to him

In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, Abubakar Dambuwa, called on Adams Adze, an investigator with the EFCC, to review the facts of the case.

In his review, Adze said the defendant was arrested, following a petition dated September 26, 2023 submitted by HabariPay Ltd to the Commission.

He also stated that Ofielu had capitalised on a system glitch to make the unauthorized withdrawal.

The prosecution counsel, thereafter, informed the court of a plea bargain entered into by the defendant, and also urged the court to convict the defendant accordingly.

Responding, the defence counsel, Mercy Akhabue, prayed the court for leniency and urged the court to temper justice with mercy.

“My Lord, he is remorseful and is a first- time offender,” he added.

After listening to both parties, Justice Oshodi convicted Ofielu on the count of stealing and sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment, starting from October 20, 2025.

Justice Oshodi, however, gave the convict an option of a fine in the sum of ₦1.5 million provided he fully restitutes the stolen amount to the tune of N 6,995,944 to HabariPay Ltd within seven days from his Access Bank account No. 14864072356, failing which the jail term of 18 months would apply .

The court also ordered the restoration of the convict’s Eco Bank salary account.

Justice Oshodi further ordered that the convict’s biometric data be registered in the Lagos State offenders’ register.

The convict was ordered remanded at the EFCC custody pending the execution of necessary documents.

News

Governor Nasir Idris approves minor cabinet reshuffle in Kebbi

Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle as part of his administration’s continued efforts to strengthen governance and enhance efficiency across the state.

In a statement released on Monday by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Yakubu Tafida, and made available to journalists in Birnin Kebbi, the governor announced the redeployment of two commissioners within the State Executive Council.

According to the statement, Samaila Augie has been moved to the Ministry of Health, while Haliru Wasagu has been redeployed to the Ministry of Internal Security.

Tafida explained that the decision reflects Governor Nasir Idris’s vision of repositioning the civil service to ensure effective and efficient service delivery to the people of Kebbi State.

“I am directed to convey the approval of the Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, for the redeployment of the aforementioned honourable commissioners. This directive is for strict compliance and takes immediate effect,” the statement read.

The SSG expressed the governor’s appreciation to members of the Executive Council for their continued cooperation and commitment to the administration’s goals.

He reaffirmed Governor Nasir Idris’s dedication to fostering peace, unity, and improved public service delivery, emphasising that the reshuffle is a strategic step towards a more responsive and result-driven government.

The move, viewed as a positive adjustment, underscores the administration’s determination to maintain momentum in governance and deliver tangible results to the citizens of Kebbi State.

News

Unijos confirms murder of student by colleague

The Management of the University of Jos, has confirmed the murder of Peter Mafuyai, a 300-level student of the department Banking and Finance of the institution by his friend and fellow student.

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Dr Rejoice Songden, the Registrar of the university confirmed the incident in a condolence message on Monday in Jos.

‎Songden, who condemned the incident, however, clarified that the incident occured outside the school premises.

‎“The Management of the University of Jos has received with deep sadness the report of the unfortunate incident involving two students, which tragically resulted in the death of a 300-level student of the Department of Banking and Finance.

‎‎“The deceased was allegedly murdered by his friend, Nanpon Timnan, a 200-level student of the Department of Agricultural Science.

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“On behalf of the council, management, staff and students, we express our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, colleagues of the deceased and pray for God’s comfort and strength to bear the painful loss.

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“The Management, however, wishes to clarify that the incident occurred off campus, not within the university premises as erroneously reported by some media outlets,”she said.

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The registrar explained that the university had concluded for 2024/2025 academic session since Aug. 30.

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‎“Therefore, students were not in session at the time of the incident; they are expected back on campus for the 2025/2026 academic session on Nov. 10.

‎“We deeply regret this tragic development and assure parents, guardians, students, staff and the general public that adequate security measures are in place to safeguard lives and property within the university vicinity,”she said.

‎‎Songden said that the university is fully cooperating with the security agencies to ensure speedy investigation into the matter and ensure justice is served.(NAN)

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