Wema {Bank} officers, others conspire to erase prospects’ knowledge, ‘steal N8.5 billion’
Three workers of Wema {Bank} Plc have been arraigned by the {Economic} and {Financial} Crimes Fee (EFCC) for allegedly defrauding prospects of the {bank} to the tune of ₦8.5 billion.
The three bankers—Samuel Ihechukwu Asiegbu, Fabian Chizaram Onyeimachi, and Kingsley Kelechi Ejim—had been arraigned on Friday, Might 23, 2025, by the anti-graft company earlier than Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal Excessive Court docket in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Different accomplices within the alleged crime are Hanna Okunlola Adesokan, Hamza Zakariya, Achionu Chukwuka Ubaku, and Sunday Osademe.
An announcement by the EFCC on Monday stated the seven individuals are going through an eight-count cost bordering on conspiracy and acquiring cash beneath false pretence to the tune of ₦8.5 billion.
One of many prices reads: “That you just SAMUEL IHECHUKWU ASIEGBU, EJIM KINGSLEY KELECHI, HAMZA ZAKARIA, ONYEIMACHI FABIAN, ACHIONU CHUKWUKA UBAKA, ADESOKAN, HANNAH OKUNLOLA, Nurudeen Ibrahim (at massive), Alhaji Sulaiman (at massive) and different individuals at massive someday in January 2025, conspired amongst yourselves to trigger lack of property to {bank} accounts domiciled in Wema {Bank} Nigeria Plc. with a purpose to confer {economic} profit to yourselves, and thereby dedicated an offence opposite to Part 27(1)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, and so forth.) Act, 2015 and punishable beneath the identical Act.”
One other rely states: “That you just SAMUEL IHECHUKWU ASIEGBU and different individuals at massive, someday in January 2025, throughout the jurisdiction of this honorable courtroom knowingly and with out authority brought about the lack of an mixture sum of ₦8,568,090,500 (Eight Billion, 5 Hundred and Sixty-eight Million, Ninety Thousand, 5 Hundred Naira) property of Wema {Bank} Plc. by altering, erasing and inputting knowledge held in accounts domiciled in Wema {Bank} Plc. pc for the aim of conferring {economic} profit on your self and also you thereby dedicated an offence opposite to Part 14(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, and so forth.) Act, 2015 and punishable beneath the identical Act.”
All seven defendants pleaded not responsible when the costs had been learn to them.
Following the plea, prosecution counsel Aso Larrys Peters requested a trial date and urged the courtroom to remand the defendants within the Nigeria Correctional Facility.
In response, the defence counsel requested the courtroom to remand his shopper, Hanna Okunlola, in EFCC custody because of considerations over her well being.
Justice Daniel Osiagor adjourned the case to June 6, 2025, for trial. He ordered that 5 of the defendants be remanded on the Nigerian Correctional Service facility, whereas Kingsley Kelechi Ejim was allowed to proceed on his present bail.
Hanna Okunlola was ordered to be remanded in EFCC custody because of her well being situation.