The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former employee of Access Bank, Chinonso Akujobi, over the alleged theft of N294.5 million from customers’ accounts in Lagos.
Akujobi was arraigned before Justice I.O. Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on Thursday by the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 on a five-count charge bordering on alleged theft.
According to the anti-graft agency, the defendant allegedly diverted a total of N294,595,992 while serving as a staff member of Access Bank.
One of the charges stated that between January and December 2025, Akujobi allegedly stole N109,325,566.86 from the bank by making unauthorized transfers from the bank’s general ledger into his personal Access Bank account.
The EFCC also alleged that part of the stolen funds was transferred into accounts bearing the names Chinonso A., Uchechi A., and Florence A.
When the charges were read, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all five counts.
Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, S.M. Yabo, urged the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending the determination of the case.
Justice Ijelu subsequently adjourned the matter until October 8, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application and the commencement of trial.
The court also ordered that Akujobi be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
The case is expected to draw significant public attention as financial regulators and law enforcement agencies continue efforts to combat insider fraud and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s banking sector.
It is important to note that the allegations remain before the court, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
