The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday arraigned Ugochukwu Eze, a 47-year-old businessman also known as “Amazon”, before the Federal High Court in Lagos over allegations that he hacked into the server of SunTrust Bank Plc and fraudulently diverted more than N800 million into accounts held in other financial institutions.
Ugochukwu Eze was brought before Justice Friday Ogazi, where the DSS alleged that the defendant carried out the cyber attacks with other suspects who remain at large between 2023 and 2026.
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According to the prosecution, the alleged operation disrupted the bank’s computer systems and enabled the unlawful transfer of more than N800,000,000 belonging to SunTrust Bank.
The DSS further alleged that Ugochukwu Eze concealed and transferred proceeds traced to the alleged cyber attacks through multiple bank accounts in an attempt to disguise the origin of the funds.
The prosecution, led by M. Bajela, told the court that the alleged offences contravened Sections 5, 6(1) and 8 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024, as well as Sections 10, 18(2)(d) and 20 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
One of the charges alleged that the defendant “unlawfully seriously hindered the function of SunTrust Bank Plc’s computer system, and in the process fraudulently diverted over N800,000,000 belonging to the said SunTrust Bank.”
Ugochukwu Eze pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read before the court.
Following the plea, prosecuting counsel M. Bajela requested that the court fix a trial date and remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the commencement of trial.
Defence counsel E. Afrogha informed the court that a bail application had already been filed, adding that the defendant had remained in DSS custody for more than one month before being arraigned.
However, the prosecution told the court it had not yet been served with the bail application and indicated that its witnesses were available to proceed once the case commenced.
After hearing both parties, Justice Ogazi adjourned the matter until August 24, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application.
The judge also ordered that Ugochukwu Eze be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the determination of the bail request.
The case adds to a growing number of cybercrime prosecutions before Nigeria’s federal courts as law enforcement agencies intensify efforts to tackle sophisticated financial crimes targeting banks and digital payment systems.
Authorities have increasingly relied on the Cybercrimes Act to prosecute offences involving unauthorised access to computer systems, online fraud and electronic theft, reflecting growing concerns over the impact of cyber attacks on the country’s financial sector.
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The case is expected to resume on August 24, when the court will consider the defendant’s application for bail before setting a timetable for trial.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
