Court jails Ecobank staff member for N2.4 million cybercrime
A staff member of Ecobank Plc, Solomon Ufayo has been sentenced to one year imprisonment by the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos for cybercrime involving N2.4 million.
Penpushing reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned him on one count of cybercrime having been accused of fraudulently impersonating a customer of the bank, Ogunfodunrin Omowunmi Ajoke, between 10 and 28 March.
The spokesperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Dele Oyewale who confirmed conviction of the accused in a statement said he was arraigned on May 16, 2025 before trial judge Yellim Bogoro.
Penpushing further reports that Oyewale stated that Ufayo while serving as a Relief Teller, allegedly manipulated deposit and withdrawal tellers on the customer’s Ecobank account (No. 2801086259), enabling him to divert a total of N2,404,000 into his personal Opay account.
The agency alleged in the charge that between the 10 to 28 March 2025, in Lagos, the defendant, while working for Ecobank Nigeria Limited as a Relief Teller, fraudulently represented himself as Ogunfodunrin Omowunmi Ajoke by posting false deposit and withdrawal tellers on her Ecobank account number 2801086259, with intent to gain advantage for himself.
Penpushing also reports that the commission explained that the action, is contrary to Section 22(2)(b)(i) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22(2)(b) of the same Act.
The accused, however, pleaded guilty to the charge, following his plea, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel Abdulhamid Tukur called the agency operative David Gajere to review the facts.
Penpushing reports that Gajere, however, informed the court that Ufayo admitted to the crime in a voluntary statement and had issued a bank draft of N2,404,000 as restitution to the petitioner.
The prosecution tendered key exhibits including the defendant’s statement, copies of falsified bank slips, and the certified true copy of the restitution bank draft, which the court admitted them in evidence.
Penpushing further reports that Ufayo pleaded for leniency, citing personal hardship, explaining that he was tempted because his wife was pregnant and was still in custody when she delivered, adding that he had learnt his lesson.
The judge, however, convicted Ufayo and sentenced him to one year in prison with an option of N500,000 fine, and also ordered that he serve two weeks of community service
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