The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned three bankers and four accomplices before the Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged N8.5 billion fraud.
The 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 under false pretence.
According to a statement released on Monday by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the defendants allegedly tampered with a bank’s internal systems and altered sensitive financial data in January 2025, resulting in a loss of N8,568,090,500.
The EFCC claimed the suspects conspired with others still at large to execute the fraudulent transactions for personal financial gain. The offence is said to be in violation of Section 27(1)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
All seven defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. EFCC counsel Aso Peters then urged the court to set a trial date and remand the defendants in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service. However, counsel for Hannah Okunlola requested that she be remanded in EFCC custody due to health concerns.
Presiding judge, Justice Daniel Osiagor, granted the prosecution’s request and adjourned the case until June 6, 2025, for trial.
Five defendants were ordered to be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service, while Kingsley Ejim Kelechi was allowed to remain on existing bail. Okunlola was directed to stay in EFCC custody pending further hearing.
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