EFCC arraigns bank staff, others for attempted server manipulation

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two employees of Premium Trust Bank, Kehinde Odeyemi and Matthew Adeniyi Damilola, before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.

They were arraigned with three others, Samson Latshin Dakup, Bolaji Omotosho Yinka, and Sunday Badeniyi Okunola, on a seven count charge bordering on conspiracy to steal.

According to a statement on the EFCC’s X (formally Twitter) handle, the defendants allegedly conspired to manipulate the server and domain credentials of Premium Trust Bank in an attempt to gain unauthorised access to the bank’s database with the intent to steal customers’ funds.

The Commission clarified that the attempted cyberattack was thwarted before any financial loss occurred.

The anti-graft agency’s statement reads, “The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Awolowo on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, arraigned the duo of Kehinde Odeyemi and Matthew Adeniyi Damilola, who are both employees of Premium Trust Bank, before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.

“They were arraigned alongside Samson Latshin Dakup, Bolaji Omotosho Yinka and Sunday Badeniyi Okunola on a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy to steal.

“The defendants allegedly conspired to manipulate the server and domain credentials of the bank in a bid to gain unauthorised access to its database and steal depositors’ funds.

“The planned fraudulent activity was, however, averted by the Commission.

“They pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.

“In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, Zeenat B. Atiku, prayed for a trial date and the defendants’ remand in a Correctional Centre.

“Counsel to the first defendant, Adeleke Adepoju, urged the court to admit his client to bail in the most liberal terms. He stated that he didn’t have enough time to make a formal application.

“Other counsel also sought to make oral applications for their clients.

“Justice Owoeye, however, refused the applications and ordered the counsel to make formal bail applications before the court.

“The judge ordered the first defendant to be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.

“The second, third, fourth and fifth defendants were ordered remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.

“The matter was adjourned till June 30, 2025 for commencement of trial.”