EFCC Arraigns Suspected Hacker For Developing Software To Defraud Bank Sum Of 18m

By Babatunde Solanke

One Michael Anan Onimisi has been arraigned by the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) before Justice R.M Aikawa of the Federal High Court, sitting in Kaduna for developing a software code-named: “Bee-Leaf” and “Real-Eve” to defraud First City Monument Bank Plc, the sum of N17,785,010.75.

Onimisi was accused of developing the software to hack into the security measures of the bank to defraud it.

 He was arraigned on six-count charges bordering on internet fraud and money laundering.

 “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,” one of the counts reads.

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

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 State.