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Eighty-five Chinese nationals, previously held at the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja on allegations of cybercrime, have been granted bail, according to information obtained by The Eastern Updates. Their release follows legal proceedings surrounding charges that have drawn significant public attention.
Adamu Duza, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Federal Capital Territory Command, revealed to our correspondent that the 85 Chinese nationals were released on Friday, December 20, 2024. His statement provided clarity on the timeline of their bail.
As of November 24, 2024, a total of 113 foreign nationals, including the 85 Chinese individuals, were brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The charges they faced involved serious criminal activities such as cybercrime, money laundering, and overstaying their residency in Nigeria.
The accused individuals hailed from an array of countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Brazil, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Malaysia. Furthermore, the operation involved 17 Nigerian collaborators, complicating the transnational nature of the case.
Read also: Police Arraign 113 Chinese Foreigners Over Cybercrime Charges
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 to the press 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.”
