The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned five individuals, including a manager at Premium Trust Bank, before a Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged cybercrime.

The accused are Matthew Adeniyi, the bank’s e-payment service manager; Kehinde Odeyemi, a nursing mother, and three others: Samson Latshin, Bolaji Omotosho, and Sunday Okunnola. They face a six-count charge of conspiracy, cybercrime, and unlawful access to the bank’s database.

Prosecutor Zeenat Atiku informed Justice Alexander Owoeye that the alleged offences occurred between April and May 2025, in collaboration with three other suspects who are currently at large. These fugitives were identified as Isa Ismaila, Victor Joshua (also known as ‘Oracle’), and another individual simply referred to as Humble.

The EFCC alleged that Mr Adeniyi unlawfully disclosed sensitive credentials, including the bank’s server IP and domain details, to the other suspects. This breach reportedly allowed unauthorised access to the bank’s database, leading to financial gains of $10,000.

Furthermore, the defendants were accused of attempting to intercept the bank’s network and procuring a Hewlett-Packard ProBook 440 G9 laptop configured to bypass the bank’s security systems.

The prosecutor stated that the alleged offences contravene sections 12(1)(b), 27, 28(1)(b)(c), and 28(3) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition Act, 2015), as amended in 2024.

All five defendants pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor requested a trial date and sought the court’s order to remand the accused in custody.

The defence counsel’s oral application for bail was declined, with Justice Owoeye directing that formal bail applications be filed. The court adjourned the case to June 30 for trial, ordering the defendants to be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre pending the determination of their bail applications.

The judge, however, granted the defence the liberty to request an earlier trial date upon filing their bail applications.