Hacker Nabbed For Stealing N68bn, Collaborates With 4 Accomplices

A suspected hacker, Stephen Omaidu, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly hacking into the database of a bank, stealing N68bn.


It was gathered that the suspect allegedly worked with four others– Alhaji K. B. Kabiru, Godswill Oyegwa, Ben and Oliver – to transfer the sum into different accounts.

Punch reports that the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, told our correspondent that the four alleged accomplices escaped and had yet to be apprehended. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges. 

Uwujaren said: “He transferred the money into different accounts for personal gains.” The image maker said the offence is punishable under section 287 of the Penal Code Act.

Following his “not guilty” plea, counsel to the EFCC, S. A. Ugwuebgulam, asked the court to fix a date for trial to commence. However, the defence counsel, Gabriel O. Sanifu, urged the court to admit the accused to bail pending trial, saying the offence is bailable.

Ugwuebgulam objected to the application on the ground that the accused had failed to honour the administrative bail terms earlier granted him by the Commission and could do same if not remanded by the court.

Justice Nasir ordered the accused to be remanded in the custody of the EFCC and adjourned the case to April 28, 2015 for ruling on the bail application.