Rita Odafe
Two bankers, along with five associates, have been placed in custody at a Nigerian correctional facility on multiple charges, including alleged conspiracy and fraudulent acquisition involving N8.5 billion.
The ruling was issued by Justice Daniel Osiagor at the Federal High Court located in the Ikoyi district of Lagos State.
The bankers faced charges from the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, May 23, 2025.
The accused include Samuel Ihechukwu and Fabian Chizaram, both working for one of the foremost banks in the country.
Additionally, their co-defendants are Kingsley Kelechi Ejim, Hanna Okunlola Adesokan, Hamza Zakariya, Achionu Chukwuka Ubaku, and Sunday Osademe.
The First Information Report states, “You, Samuel Ihechukwu Asiegbu, Ejim Kingsley Kelechi, Hamza Zakaria, Onyeimachi Fabian, Achionu Chukwuka Ubaka, Adesokan Hannah Okunlola, Nurudeen Ibrahim (currently at large), Alhaji Sulaiman (currently at large), along with other unidentified individuals, in January 2025, conspired to cause financial losses to bank accounts held at Wema Bank Nigeria Plc., in order to gain illicit economic advantages, thus violating Section 27(1)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, with similar punishment outlined under the Act.”
Upon hearing the charges, all the defendants entered a plea of not guilty.
Prosecution attorney Aso Larrys Peters, after their pleas, asked the court to set a trial date and remand the defendants in custody.
Judge Osiagor postponed the hearing to June 6, 2025, for the trial proceedings.
