Timothy Fashina Oluwabukola and Anthony Imonina Odemerho, students from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) and Resign Regal Academy respectively, have been charged at a Federal High Court in Lagos with hacking into MTN Nigeria’s computers. They are accused of stealing airtime and data worth N1.9 billion between January and April 2024. The charges include conspiracy, unauthorized access to MTN’s Application Programming Interface (API), and unlawful conversion of data.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty. The prosecution requested a trial date and sought to have them remanded in custody, while the defense has filed bail applications. The court has adjourned the case to August 5 to review the bail applications. The alleged offences breach the Cybercrime Act and Money Laundering Act.