N1.9bn MTN scammers' bail request adjourned

A federal High Court, Lagos Division has adjourned the the bail application hearing for two alleged hackers, Timothy Oluwabukola and Anthony Odemerho who were both accused of stealing Airtime and Data valued at N1.9bn from MTN Nigeria Communication Plc.

Justice Akintayo Aluko adjourned the suit to August 5, 2024, after listening to parties in the suit Counsels that was preceded by a guilty pleas to a four-count charge against the duo by the Special Fraud Unit of the Police Command in Lagos State.

Oluwabukola, a student of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) Abeokuta, Ogun State, while Odemerho is the Proprietor of Resign Regal Academy in Benin City, Edo State, allegedly committed the offences between January and April 2024 in Lagos and Edo States, according to the charge sheet.

The charge also bothers on conspiracy and unauthorised access into the company’s web-based Application Programming Interface (API) and unlawful conversion, according to the evidence that was presented by the Special Fraud Unit of the Police .

The Court held that the offences contravene sections 27(1)(b), 6(2), and 28(1)(b) of the Cybercrime (prohibition, prevention, etc) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024, but were punishable under Section 8(2) of the same Act.

It also informed the court that the offences violated section 18(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, but punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.

After reviewing their plea, the Prosecutor urged the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendants in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) until the charge was determined.

But, the Defence Counsel told the court that he had filed bail applications for his clients, and that same had been served on the prosecutor.

In his response, the Prosecutor confirmed being served with the applications but prayed the court that he was served while the proceedings were on.

Consequently, the judge then asked the court for a short date to enable him to study the applications and respond accordingly.