Two Arrested MTN Computer Hacking Students Get ₦100m Bail
Two pupils, Timothy Oluwabukola from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and Anthony Odemerho from Resign Regal Academy, were granted N50 million bail by a Lagos Federal High Court on Monday.
The pair reportedly stole N1.9 billion in airtime and data from MTN Nigeria Communications.
Justice Akintayo Aluko granted them release after hearing two defendant bail petitions. Aluko had defendants post bail and submit two sureties.
One surety must be a federal or Lagos State governmental worker at grade 14 or above. The other must prove ownership of landed property in the court’s jurisdiction and sign an affidavit of means.
Civil servant sureties must provide a job reference and final promotion letter.
The accused must also submit two current passport-sized photos to the court registrar. The prosecution must verify all surety papers, including residence locations, the court ruled.
The court further ordered the defendants to stay in the Correctional Centre until their bail requirements are completed.
On July 30, 2024, the Police Special Fraud Unit arraigned Oluwabukola and Odemerho. They face four charges: conspiracy, improper access to MTN’s online platform, and conversion.
Justine Enang, police prosecution counsel, said the accused and their at-large accomplices committed the crimes in Lagos and Edo states between January and April 2024. They reportedly stole N1.9 billion in airtime and data from MTN.
The offenses violate various parts of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as revised in 2024, and the Money Laundering (Prevention And Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Both defendants denied guilt. The prosecution sought a trial date and remand after the defendants’ plea.
The defense counsel served the prosecutor bail petitions during the hearings.
Justice Aluko delayed the bail hearing until August 5, 2024, after the prosecution asked time to consider the petitions.
CREDIT: Allschoolabs, ALLSCHOOL
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