LAGOS – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) took five individuals to court on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. They face serious charges for an alleged Premium Trust Bank cyber plot. Among the accused are two employees of the bank, Kehinde Odeyemi and Matthew Adeniyi Damilola. They appeared before Justice Alexander Owoeye at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. The group, which also includes Samson Latshin Dakup, Bolaji Omotosho Yinka, and Sunday Badeniyi Okunola, must answer to a seven-count charge. The core allegation is that they planned a cyber-related theft targeting the bank’s own internal systems. This arraigns bank staff case underscores the continued vigilance against financial crimes.
“The defendants conspired to compromise the bank’s IT infrastructure and access customers’ deposits,” the EFCC stated. Critically, the agency confirmed it intercepted the scheme before any financial damage occurred to the bank or its customers.
Alleged Conspiracy Extends to At-Large Suspects
The EFCC’s charges reveal a wider network. The plan allegedly involved not only those in custody but also several individuals still at large. These suspects are identified as Humble, Wasiu, Isa Ismaila, and Victor Joshua Ilemona, also known as Oracle.
Prosecutors claim the group attempted to unlawfully manipulate Premium Trust Bank’s server IP and domain login credentials. Their objective, according to the charges, was to gain unauthorized access to the bank’s entire database. “You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 and 28 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes Act,” one of the charges explicitly states. All five defendants entered pleas of not guilty when the charges were read in court. This bank staff cyber crime Lagos incident highlights the legal framework in place to prosecute such alleged offenses.
Court Mandates Formal Bail Applications, Remands Accused
Following the not guilty pleas, prosecuting counsel Zeenat B. Atiku made two requests to the court. Atiku asked for the accused to be remanded in custody and urged the court to fix a date for the trial to commence.
Defence lawyers, including Adeleke Adepoju who represents Kehinde Odeyemi, appealed for bail on liberal terms. However, Justice Alexander Owoeye rejected these oral applications.
“All bail requests must be made formally,” the judge firmly ruled. Consequently, Kehinde Odeyemi was ordered to be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre. The remaining four accused – Matthew Adeniyi Damilola, Samson Latshin Dakup, Bolaji Omotosho Yinka, and Sunday Badeniyi Okunola – were ordered to the Ikoyi Correctional Centre. They will remain there as they await further legal proceedings and the formal application for bail. The EFCC’s actions signal a strong stance on protecting financial system security.
By Abiodun Labi
