Premium Trust Bank’s e-payment service supervisor, Matthew Adeniyi, has been arraigned earlier than a Federal Excessive Courtroom in Lagos on allegations of hacking into the {bank}’s server, marking a major authorized improvement in cybersecurity violations inside the banking sector.
Adeniyi, together with 4 co-defendants, Kehinde Odeyemi, a nursing mom, Samson Latshin, Bolaji Omotosho, and Sunday Okunnola, was formally charged by the {Economic} and {Financial} Crimes Fee (EFCC) earlier than Justice Alexander Owoeye.
The costs, unfold throughout six counts, embody conspiracy, cybercrime, and illegal entry to the {bank}’s database.
The prosecutor, Mrs. Zeenat Atiku, alleged that the defendants dedicated the offence between April and Might 2025, working in collaboration with three further suspects who’re at the moment at giant. These nonetheless evading regulation enforcement embody Isa Ismaila, Victor Joshua, recognized by the alias ‘Oracle’, and one other particular person merely recognized as Humble.
In keeping with the prosecution, Adeniyi, the primary defendant, unlawfully disclosed extremely delicate credentials, together with the {bank}’s server IP and area particulars, to his alleged accomplices. This unauthorized disclosure reportedly led to a safety breach, permitting illicit entry to the {bank}’s database.
“The breach resulted in a {financial} lack of $10,000,” the prosecutor said, outlining the gravity of the cyber intrusion.
Moreover, Atiku revealed that the defendants tried to intercept the {bank}’s community safety programs and procured a Hewlett-Packard ProBook 440 G9 laptop computer (serial quantity SN#5CD2473N6G) particularly configured to bypass the {financial} establishment’s cybersecurity protocols.
Regardless of the severity of the allegations, the defendants pleaded not responsible to the costs. The EFCC said that the alleged offences violated the provisions of sections 12(1)(b), 27, 28(1)(b)(c), and 28(3) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition Act, 2015, as amended in 2024).
This high-profile cybercrime case underscores rising considerations about safety vulnerabilities inside {financial} establishments and the rising sophistication of digital crimes.
{Financial} crimes are often perpetrated by employees of banks in collaboration with different outsiders.
Specialists have suggested that by adopting safer banking habits, strengthening institutional safety frameworks, and fostering stronger collaboration amongst stakeholders, {financial} establishments can reduce dangers whereas persevering with to take pleasure in the advantages of a safe and environment friendly digital {financial} system.
