EFCC arraigns two over alleged illegal supply of Bank Access credentials

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two men, Gideon Bakpa Aghogho and Oscar Ebere Chukwuebuka, before the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, over alleged unlawful supply and disclosure of bank access credentials.

The defendants were arraigned on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC before Justice F.N. Ogazi on an eight-count charge bordering on the alleged unlawful supply of access credentials to a bank database.

They were arraigned alongside a third suspect identified as Scott, who is currently at large.

The EFCC said the alleged offences contravene Sections 27 and 28(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.

According to the anti-graft agency, the charges arose from allegations that the defendants unlawfully provided access credentials capable of granting access to the information technology systems and database of a commercial bank.

One of the counts alleged that Aghogho and Chukwuebuka, acting alongside Scott, conspired between July 24 and 26, 2026, in Lagos to unlawfully supply Aghogho’s access code to the FCMB system.

The EFCC alleged that the credential, identified as a local Administrative Credential (ITSD), was capable of allowing access to the FCMB Virtual Center Platform and was supplied with the intention of facilitating the commission of an offence.

The charge further alleged that the defendants thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 28(2) of the Cybercrimes Act.

Another count specifically accused Aghogho of knowingly and without lawful authority disclosing access credentials, including the bank’s server IP and domain credentials, to facilitate access to FCMB’s database.

The alleged offence was said to have occurred between April and May 2025 in Lagos.

The prosecution further alleged that Aghogho received $15,000 in exchange for the disclosure of the credentials.

The arraignment followed investigations by the EFCC into the alleged compromise and unlawful use of banking system access credentials.

When the charges were read to them in court, the first defendant, Aghogho, pleaded not guilty.

Chukwuebuka, however, pleaded guilty to the charges against him.

Following Aghogho’s not-guilty plea, prosecution counsel, Bilkisu Buhari, requested a date for the commencement of trial.

The prosecution also urged the court to remand Aghogho in a correctional facility pending the commencement of proceedings.

In the case of Chukwuebuka, who pleaded guilty, the prosecution asked the court for an opportunity to review the facts of the case in line with his plea.

After hearing the submissions, Justice Ogazi adjourned the matter until August 27, 2026, for the review of facts and other proceedings.

The court also ordered that the defendants be remanded at a correctional centre pending further proceedings.

The arraignment underscores the growing attention of law enforcement authorities to the unlawful acquisition, disclosure and use of banking system credentials, particularly where such credentials could provide unauthorised access to financial institutions’ digital infrastructure.

The EFCC’s allegations centre on the alleged provision of sensitive access information capable of granting entry into a bank’s digital systems.

The commission has continued to prosecute cases involving suspected cyber-enabled financial crimes as Nigerian financial institutions increasingly rely on interconnected digital platforms for banking operations and customer services.

The case is expected to return before Justice Ogazi on August 27 for further proceedings, including the review of facts in respect of the second defendant.
The third suspect, identified as Scott, remains at large.