Court Fixes July 21 For Trial Of 4 Accused Of Hacking Company Financial Records

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed July 21, 2026, for the arraignment of four defendants accused of unlawfully accessing and manipulating the financial records of a company through electronic systems.

Justice Hauwa Yilwan adjourned the matter on Monday after it was disclosed that only one of the defendants was present in court.

The defendants listed in the eight-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/349/2026 are Oluwaseyi Famousa, Paul Oku, Yesu-Felix Alice and Zenith Bank, which was joined as the third defendant in the case.

According to the charge, the defendants allegedly used electronic communication systems and banking computer infrastructure to access, intercept and disclose confidential financial records belonging to Makers Island Company Limited without lawful authority or a court order.

The offences are said to contravene Sections 6, 11, 12(2), 16(1) and 27 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended).

At Monday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel, F.G. Gabriel, informed the court that all the defendants had been served with the charge except Zenith Bank, adding that the bank would be served before the close of business.

Following the update, Justice Yilwan adjourned the matter until July 21 for arraignment.

According to the charge, the defendants allegedly conspired between December 4, 2025, and January 22, 2026, to unlawfully access, obtain, transmit and disclose confidential financial records belonging to Makers Island Company Limited without legal authorisation.

The prosecution further alleged that they fraudulently used computer systems and electronic communication networks to obtain, divert and manipulate the company’s confidential banking information with the intent to secure unlawful gain or cause financial disadvantage.

They were also accused of unlawfully altering, redirecting and interfering with the company’s electronic communications and account-related data, actions the prosecution said compromised the proper transmission and integrity of the information.

The alleged offences are punishable under the provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 (as amended).