EFCC Arraigns 3 Bankers, 4 Others Over Alleged N8.5bn Cyber Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned three Lagos-based bankers and four accomplices before the Federal High Court in Lagos over their alleged involvement in an N8.5 billion fraud.
The accused bankers—Samuel Ihechukwu Asiegbu, Fabian Onyeimachi, and Kingsley Ejim Kelechi—were arraigned alongside Hannah Okunlola Adesokan, Hamza Zakariya, Achionu Ubaku, and Sunday Osademe on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence.
According to a statement released on Monday by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the defendants allegedly conspired to manipulate a bank’s internal system in January 2025, altering sensitive financial data to fraudulently divert N8,568,090,500 for personal gain.
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The EFCC noted that the alleged offences violated Section 27(1)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
All seven defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them in court.
Following their plea, EFCC counsel Aso Peters urged the court to remand the accused in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service and set a date for trial. However, the lawyer representing Hannah Okunlola appealed for her to remain in EFCC custody due to health concerns.
Justice Daniel Osiagor granted the prosecution’s request and fixed June 6, 2025, for commencement of trial. He ordered that five of the accused be remanded in correctional custody, while Kingsley Ejim Kelechi was allowed to remain on his existing bail terms. Okunlola was permitted to stay in EFCC custody pending further court directives.
By PRNigeria
