DSS Arraigns Man For Allegedly Hacking SunTrust Bank Server, Diverting N800m

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday arraigned a 47-year-old alleged fraudster, Ugochukwu Eze, popularly known as “Amazon,” before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly hacking SunTrust Bank Plc’s server and fraudulently diverting N800 million.

The DSS docked Eze before Justice Friday Ogazi on a five-count charge of cybercrime, unauthorised access to critical financial infrastructure, and money laundering.

The prosecutor, Muhammed Bajela, had informed the judge that the defendant and others still at large allegedly conspired between 2023 and 2026 to unlawfully interfere with the bank’s computer system, resulting in the diversion of over N800 million belonging to SunTrust Bank.

The DSS further alleged that the defendant concealed and transferred proceeds linked to the alleged cyberattacks through some financial institutions and unlawfully accessed critical national financial information infrastructure.

Bajela further maintained that the offences violated Sections 5, 6(1), and 8 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024, as well as Sections 10, 20, and 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

When the charges were read, the defendant pleaded not guilty.

Based on his plea, the prosecutor urged the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in the custody of a correctional centre pending the conclusion of the trial.

However, defence counsel, Ezekiel Afrogha, informed Justice Ogazi that a bail application had been filed on behalf of the defendant and that he had been in DSS custody for over a month.

Responding, the prosecution stated it had not been served with the bail application but added that its witnesses were available to proceed.

Justice Ogazi subsequently adjourned the case until August 24 for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service until his bail request is determined.

One of the counts alleges that Eze, between 2023 and 2026, unlawfully hindered the operation of SunTrust Bank Plc’s computer system and fraudulently diverted over N800 million belonging to the bank, an offence punishable under Section 8 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024.