A Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Ekerete Akpan on Friday, 22 November, 2024 ordered the remand of 109 foreigners, charged over allegations bordering on cybercrime, in Kuje and Suleja Correctional Centres.
Justice Akpan gave the order following an application by one of the defence counsel, James Onoja, SAN, for an adjournment to allow the prosecution to reflect the defendants’ names correctly on the charge sheet.
The foreigners, who are said to be citizens of China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand, Brazil, Malaysia and Myanmar, were recently arrested by the police.
They were arrested 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 a six-count charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/599/2024 filed in the name of the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, the foreigners were charged with cybercrime, money laundering and unlawfully residing in Nigeria.
At the resumed hearing on Friday, n22 November, 2024 Onoja informed the court that while conducting Know-Your-Customer (KYC) procedures for his clients, he discovered that their actual names were not reflected on the charge sheet.
“This information came to light when we were discussing the possible terms of bail for the defendants.
“We told them that the court would ask for their travel documents, and they said the names on the charge sheet were not their names,” he said.
The senior lawyer said he had discussed the matter with the prosecution lawyer, A.A. Egwu.
He said they requested the defendants’ travel documents so that their proper names could be reflected on the charge sheet.
He emphasised that it was the defendant’s responsibility to provide their correct travel documents for the plea and trial to proceed smoothly.
Onoja, therefore, proposed that the arraignment be adjourned in the interest of justice.
Egwu, who appeared for the police, responded that the court could make an order for the defendants’ respective embassies to provide their travel documents.
“We do not oppose the request for an adjournment,” he said.
