Student Hackers Arraigned for Stealing N1.9 Billion in Data, Airtime from MTN

The Police Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, Lagos, has brought two students before the Federal High Court for allegedly hacking into MTN Nigeria Communications’ systems and stealing airtime and data worth N1.9 billion.

The defendants, Timothy Fashina Oluwabukola from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) in Abeokuta and Anthony Imonina Odemerho from Resign Regal Academy in Benin City, face a four-count charge of conspiracy, unauthorized access to MTN’s Application Programming Interface (API), and unlawful conversion of data and airtime.

Prosecutor Justine Enang alleged that between January and April 2024, the students, along with others at large, conspired to hack into MTN’s web-based platform, accessing and exploiting the API to defraud the telecom giant of N1.9 billion in data and airtime. The charges include violations of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecution requested a trial date and for the defendants to be remanded in custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) pending the trial’s outcome. Defense lawyers have filed bail applications for their clients, with Justice Akintayo Aluko adjourning the hearing on bail until August 5.

The charges detail that the accused, without authorization, gained access to MTN’s computer systems, manipulated authorization keys, and fraudulently converted airtime into data for sale to the public. The actions caused significant financial loss to MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, leading to charges of unauthorized access, fraud, and money laundering.