The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned three bankers and four accomplices before a Federal High Court in Lagos over their alleged involvement in a massive 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 of conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretence.
According to a statement released on Monday by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the suspects allegedly manipulated a bank’s internal system and tampered with vital financial data in January 2025. This action reportedly led to the unlawful diversion of N8,568,090,500 for their personal benefit.
The anti-graft agency revealed that the suspects collaborated with others still at large in executing the cyber fraud. The charges brought against them fall under Section 27(1)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
All seven defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read in court.
Prosecution counsel Aso Peters requested that the court fix a trial date and remand the defendants in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service. However, counsel to Hannah Okunlola appealed for her to remain in EFCC custody due to health concerns.
Presiding judge, Justice Daniel Osiagor, granted the prosecution’s application and adjourned the case to June 6, 2025, for trial. Five of the defendants were remanded in correctional custody, while Kingsley Ejim Kelechi was allowed to continue on previously granted bail. Okunlola will remain in EFCC custody pending further proceedings.
