Eighty-five Chinese nationals who were remanded at Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja over alleged cybercrime have been released on bail.
The spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Federal Capital Territory Command, Adamu Duza, who disclosed this to our correspondent said the Chinese were released on Friday, December 20, 2024.
The suspects were part of a group of 113 foreign nationals arraigned before the Federal High Court, Abuja, on November 24, 2024 on charges of cybercrime, money laundering, and unlawful residency in Nigeria.
The group includes individuals from Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Brazil, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Malaysia, as well as 17 Nigerian collaborators.
Justice Ekerete Akpan, who presided over the case, had initially ordered the remand of the male defendants at Kuje prison and female defendants at Suleja prison.
The charges stem from the allegations that the accused persons used sophisticated computer systems to facilitate hacking activities and operate fraudulent gambling platforms such as 9f.com, c2.top, and 8pg.top.
They were also accused of overstaying their business permits and remaining in Nigeria without valid residency or visas.
The suspects were arrested on November 3, 2024, in Katampe District, Abuja.
Duza confirmed that the release of the 85 Chinese nationals was supervised by the FCT Controller of Corrections, Ajibogun Olatubosun, to ensure all protocols were followed and their personal properties were returned.
He said, “85 Chinese in our detention facilities have been released on bail. The Controller was on ground to ensure their release and their properties intact.”