EFCC Arraigns Premium Trust Bank Manager, Four Others for Alleged Cyberattack and Data Breach

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned five individuals before a Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged cyberattack on the server of Premium Trust Bank.

The defendants include the bank’s e-payment service manager, Matthew Adeniyi; Kehinde Odeyemi, a nursing mother; Samson Latshin; Bolaji Omotosho; and Sunday Okunnola. They were brought before Justice Alexander Owoeye on a six-count charge involving conspiracy, cybercrime, and unlawful access to the bank’s database.

All five pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Prosecuting counsel, Zeenat Atiku, told the court that the accused persons committed the offences between April and May 2025 in conjunction with three other accomplices who remain at large. The fugitives were identified as Isa Ismaila, Victor Joshua (alias "Oracle"), and another individual known simply as "Humble."

The prosecution alleged that the first defendant, Matthew Adeniyi, unlawfully shared confidential bank credentials, including server IP and domain access details, with the others. This alleged disclosure enabled unauthorized access to Premium Trust Bank’s server, resulting in a breach that led to a financial gain of $10,000.

EFCC further alleged that the group made attempts to intercept the bank’s internal network and procured a Hewlett-Packard ProBook 440 G9 laptop (serial number SN#5CD2473N6G), which was configured to bypass the institution’s cybersecurity systems.

The offences were said to contravene sections 12(1)(b), 27, 28(1)(b)(c), and 28(3) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.

After the defendants entered their pleas, the prosecution requested a date for trial and asked that the accused be remanded in custody. Justice Owoeye declined an oral bail application by the defence and directed that a formal application be filed.

The judge adjourned the matter until June 30, 2025, for trial, ordering that all five defendants be remanded in a Nigerian correctional facility pending their bail hearing. However, he noted that the defence may apply for an earlier trial date upon submission of their bail applications.