In a recent legal development, a Federal High Court in Lagos has granted bail of N50 million each to Timothy Oluwabukola and Anthony Odemerho, students accused of hacking MTN Nigeria’s systems and stealing airtime and data valued at N1.9 billion. Justice Akintayo Aluko approved the bail following separate applications by the defendants.

The bail conditions include providing two sureties each: one must be a civil servant of at least grade level 14 in Federal or Lagos State employment, while the other must be a landed property owner in the court’s jurisdiction. These sureties are required to present evidence of ownership and submit relevant documents, including a reference letter and proof of last promotion for the civil servant.

Additionally, the defendants must submit two recent passport photographs to the court registrar, and the prosecution is tasked with verifying all surety documents and residential addresses. Until the bail conditions are met, Oluwabukola and Odemerho will remain in a Correctional Centre.

The charges against them include conspiracy, unauthorized access to MTN’s web platform, and unlawful conversion, as stipulated under the Cybercrime Act and Money Laundering Act. The defendants pleaded not guilty, prompting the court to adjourn the case to August 5, 2024, for further proceedings.