The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned three bankers and four accomplices before the 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 bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence.
According to a statement released on Monday by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the defendants allegedly manipulated internal systems of a commercial bank and altered sensitive financial data in January 2025, resulting in a loss of N8,568,090,500.
The EFCC further alleged that the suspects collaborated with others still at large to execute the fraudulent transactions for their personal gain. The offences are said to violate Section 27(1)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
All seven defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read in court.
Prosecution counsel, Aso Peters, subsequently requested the court to set a trial date and remand the defendants in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). However, the lawyer representing Hannah Okunlola asked that she be kept in EFCC custody due to health concerns.
Presiding judge, Justice Daniel Osiagor, granted the prosecution’s request and adjourned the trial to June 6, 2025.
In the meantime, five of the accused were ordered to be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service, while Kingsley Ejim Kelechi was permitted to remain on his existing bail. Hannah Okunlola was directed to remain in EFCC custody pending further proceedings.
