EFCC Arraigns Hacker Who Stole N17m From Kaduna Bank

The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a man for allegedly hacking into a bank system to fraudulently withdraw over N17m.

According to a statement issued by the EFCC on Tuesday, the suspect, Michael Anan Onimisi, was arraigned on Friday before Justice R.M Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Kaduna for developing a software code-named: “Bee-Leaf” and “Real-Eve” to defraud First City Monument Bank Plc the sum of N17.7m.

“Onimisi was accused of developing the software to hack into the security measures of the bank, in order to defraud it. He was arraigned on six-count charges bordering on internet fraud and money laundering.

One of the counts reads “that you, Michael Anan Onimisi, sometime in June 2023, in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly retained the total sum of N17, 785,010.75 (Seventeen Million, Seven Hundred and Eighty-Five Thousand, Ten Naira and Seventy-Five Kobo only), from First City Monument Bank Plc, which funds you knew forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d)of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.

“The suspect pleaded not guilty to the six-count charges when they were read to him.

“In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, N. Salele, asked for a trial date and further prayed the court to remand the defendant at a Correctional Centre before the commencement of trial.

“Meanwhile, defence counsel, Rabiu Mohammed informed the court of an application for bail before the court. Salele objected, pleading for more time to study and respond to it

“After listening to the arguments of both counsels, Justice Aikawa thereafter adjourned the matter till October 19, 2023, for hearing on the bail application and December 6, 2023, for commencement of trial,

“He also ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Kaduna.

“Trouble started for the defendant when the Kaduna Zonal Command of the EFCC, received a petition from First City Monument Bank Plc, dated June 23, 2023, alleging that the defendant, sole proprietor of Ohoiza Crafts, hacked into the bank system, and fraudulently withdrew money amounting to N17, 785,010.75 from the account of the bank, and transferred it to his account”, the statement read.