The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, arraigned Gideon Bakpa Aghogho and Oscar Ebere Chukwuebuka before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over alleged unauthorised disclosure and sale of bank access credentials linked to FCMB systems.

The case, which also involves a third suspect identified as Scott and currently at large, centres on allegations that sensitive information capable of granting access to a financial institution’s database was supplied in exchange for $15,000.

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The defendants are facing an eight-count charge under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024.

According to the EFCC, Aghogho and Chukwuebuka allegedly worked with Scott to supply an access code described as a local Administrative Credential, ITSD, between July 24 and 26, 2026.

The commission told the court that the credential could provide access to the FCMB Virtual Center Platform and was allegedly supplied with the intention of facilitating an offence.

The prosecution further accused Aghogho of separately disclosing sensitive bank access information, including server IP and domain details, between April and May 2025 without authorisation.

The EFCC alleged that the information was provided to facilitate access to FCMB’s database and that the transaction was valued at $15,000.

The proceedings took a significant turn when the charges were read to the defendants. Aghogho pleaded not guilty, while Chukwuebuka pleaded guilty.

Following Aghogho’s plea, prosecution counsel Bilkisu Buhari asked the court to set a trial date and remand him in a correctional facility.

For Chukwuebuka, the prosecution requested a review of the facts of the case in light of his guilty plea.

Justice F.N. Ogazi subsequently adjourned the matter until August 27, 2026, for review of the facts and further proceedings.

The court also ordered that the defendants remain in a correctional centre pending the next hearing.

The allegations highlight the increasingly serious security implications surrounding the unauthorised sharing of privileged financial and information technology credentials.

Access credentials linked to banking infrastructure can expose institutions to potentially significant operational and financial risks if they fall into the wrong hands.

The EFCC’s case also illustrates how cybercrime investigations can extend beyond direct theft of funds to the alleged sale or disclosure of information that could enable subsequent attacks.

For now, however, the allegations remain before the court. Aghogho has denied the charges through his not-guilty plea, while the proceedings against Chukwuebuka will continue following his guilty plea.

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The case returns to court on August 27, when the facts surrounding the allegations against the defendants are expected to receive further judicial consideration.