The Police Special Fraud Unit in Ikoyi, Lagos, has uncovered a high-profile hacking scheme involving two students, who allegedly infiltrated MTN Nigeria Communications’ systems, stealing data and airtime valued at N1.9 billion.
Timothy Fashina Oluwabukola, a student of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, and Anthony Imonina Odemerho, from Resign Regal Academy in Benin City, Edo State, have been charged with conspiracy, unauthorized access, and unlawful conversion.
The defendants were brought before the Federal High Court in Lagos on multiple counts, including conspiracy and unauthorized access to MTN’s Application Programming Interface (API).
The arraignment was overseen by Justice Akintayo Aluko.
Despite pleading not guilty, the prosecution, led by Justine Enang, alleges that between January and April 2024, the accused, along with other unidentified collaborators, accessed MTN’s API to illegally obtain data.
This data was reportedly converted into airtime and sold, resulting in substantial financial losses for the telecommunications giant.
The four-count charge against Oluwabukola and Odemerho includes:
Conspiracy to gain unauthorized access to MTN’s computer systems, resulting in theft of data and airtime worth N1.9 billion, a violation of Section 27(1)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.
Unauthorized use of authorization keys and passwords to access MTN’s API, with the intent of obtaining and selling data and airtime, contravening Section 6(2) of the same Act.
Manipulation of MTN’s authorization keys or passwords to access and defraud the company, contrary to Section 28(1)(b) of the Cybercrime Act.
Conversion of MTN property (airtime) to personal use, an offense under Section 18(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Prosecutor Enang emphasized the severity of the alleged offenses, citing their violation of the Cybercrime Act and the Money Laundering Act.
He requested a trial date and recommended the defendants be held in custody by the Nigerian Correctional Services until the case’s resolution.
In response, the defense lawyers indicated that bail applications for their clients had been submitted.
Justice Aluko has adjourned the case to August 5 for the hearing of these applications.
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