A First City Monument Bank (FCMB) staff member and a former employee have been remanded in custody over an alleged plot to hack into the bank’s computer system and steal $25,000.
The defendants — FCMB Service Administrator, Gideon Bakpa Aghogho, and former staff member Oscar Ebere Chukwuebuka — were ordered to be held by Justice Friday Ogazi of the Federal High Court in Lagos after they were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
They are facing charges bordering on conspiracy, cybercrime, unauthorised access to a computer system and financial offences.
The EFCC alleged that the defendants worked with a third suspect identified as Scott, who is currently at large, to gain unauthorised access to FCMB’s system and facilitate the removal of $25,000.
According to the prosecution, the alleged operation took place between July 24 and 26, 2026.
The court heard that Aghogho allegedly handed over his access credentials to Chukwuebuka, allowing others involved in the scheme to gain access to the bank’s Virtual Center Platform through the local Administrative Credential known as ITSD.
The prosecution further alleged that after the money was obtained, Aghogho received $2,000, while Chukwuebuka allegedly got $400 as his share.
However, the charges also contain allegations relating to the disclosure of access credentials between April and May 2025, with the prosecution claiming that the information included the bank’s server IP and domain credentials.
One of the counts alleged that Aghogho disclosed the credentials for a financial benefit of $15,000, while another accused Chukwuebuka of receiving a $10,000 benefit in connection with the alleged unauthorised access.
The EFCC also accused the two men of retaining proceeds allegedly linked to the unlawful operation.
Aghogho was alleged to have retained $2,000, while Chukwuebuka was accused of retaining $400.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, Aghogho pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
Chukwuebuka, however, pleaded guilty to the charges against him.
Following their pleas, Justice Ogazi adjourned the case until August 27, 2026, for the review of facts concerning Chukwuebuka’s plea.
The judge also ordered that both defendants remain in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the next hearing.
Before the arraignment, their lawyers, N. Egah and Livingstone Madu, informed the court that the defendants were interested in entering into a plea bargain arrangement.
The prosecution, however, told the court that it was not aware of any such agreement or arrangement.
The EFCC said the alleged offences contravened provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, as amended in 2024, as well as the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The allegations remain unproven until determined by the court.
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