Esther Salifu
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former Union Bank employee, Abdulmalik Salau, alongside Ismaila Yousuf Atumeyi a Kogi State House of Assembly candidate and Ngene Joshua Dominic, on an 18-count charge of cybercrime and money laundering involving ₦1.4 billion.
According to the EFCC, between August and October 2022, the trio allegedly conspired to hack into Union Bank’s database, transferring ₦1.4 billion to accounts linked to FAV Oil and Gas Limited and Atus Homes Limited.
During the court proceedings, the prosecution revealed that $480,000 was recovered from Salau, while ₦326.4 million in cash was found in a black Escalade SUV associated with Atumeyi and Dominic.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. The EFCC emphasized the importance of a swift trial, stating, “We have listed six witnesses through whom the prosecution will explain to the court how the defendants agreed among themselves to hack into the database of Union Bank Plc, transferred funds belonging to the Bank and its customers, and used the proceeds of this unlawful activity to acquire properties for themselves.”
The EFCC continues to urge financial institutions to strengthen their internal controls and monitoring systems to prevent such fraudulent activities.
