EFCC arraigns hacker for developing software to defraud bank in Kaduna

The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has initiated legal proceedings against one Michael Anan Onimisi. Onimisi has been arraigned before Justice R.M Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Kaduna for his involvement in creating software, known as “Bee-Leaf” and “Real-Eve,” with the alleged intent to defraud First City Monument Bank Plc of the sum of N17,785,010.75.

Onimisi is facing six counts of charges related to internet fraud and money laundering, with one of the counts specifying that he knowingly retained the total sum of N17,785,010.75 from First City Monument Bank Plc in June 2023, recognizing that these funds were derived from an illegal activity. This action is in violation of Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2022, and is punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.

The accused pleaded not guilty to all six counts when they were read to him in court.

The prosecution counsel, N. Salele, requested a trial date and urged the court to detain the defendant in a Correctional Centre pending the commencement of the trial.

Conversely, the defense counsel, Rabiu Mohammed, informed the court about an application for bail that is currently under consideration. Salele objected to this and requested additional time to review and respond to it.

Following the arguments presented by both legal teams, Justice Aikawa scheduled the matter for a hearing on the bail application on October 19, 2023, and the commencement of the trial on December 6, 2023. Additionally, he ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Kaduna State.