BREAKING: Court grants 109 foreign nationals N1 billion bail in IGP’s ‘fraudulent gambling’ case 

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted N1 billion bail to 109 foreign nationals (from China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Brazil, Myanmar, and Thailand) in a police case alleging their involvement in fraudulent gambling activities in Nigeria.

Justice Ekerete Akpan approved the bail on Friday after hearing from the counsels involved 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, Force Public Relations Officer at Force Headquarters.

Facts of the Case

What Transpired in Court 

James Onoja SAN, counsel for the defendants, then applied for bail, adding that the purpose of bail is to allow the defendants to stand trial.

In a statement titled “IGP Orders Thorough Investigation into Possible Security Threats, Networking,” the police indicated that the suspect’s alleged involvement in high-level cybercrimes and activities threatening national security would be thoroughly investigated.

“This strategic operation was conducted through a coordinated raid on a building in the Next Cash and Carry area of Jahi, Abuja, where the suspects were reportedly 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 Nigeria Police Force Zone 7 Command Abuja and the National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC),” the statement disclosed.