EFCC Drags FCMB Staff, Accomplice To Court Over Alleged $25,000 Access Credential Deal

A staff member of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Gideon Bakpa Aghogho, and his alleged accomplice, Oscar Ebere Chukwuebuka, were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday over alleged unlawful dealings involving the bank’s access credentials.

The suspects were brought before Justice F.S.N. Ogazi by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alongside another individual identified as “Scott,” who the prosecution said is currently at large.

The defendants are facing an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unauthorised access to a computer system, unlawful disclosure of access credentials, attempted interception of a network database and retention of proceeds allegedly linked to unlawful activities.

According to the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, the charges arose from the alleged illegal disclosure and use of credentials capable of granting access to FCMB’s database.

The offences were said to contravene provisions of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024, as well as relevant sections of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

EFCC prosecutor Bilikisu Buhari appeared for the commission, while N. Egah represented Aghogho and M. Livingstone appeared for Chukwuebuka. Patrick Ngbeoma was also present on behalf of the nominal complainant.

When the charges were read in court, Aghogho pleaded not guilty, while Chukwuebuka pleaded guilty to the allegations against him.

Following Aghogho’s plea, the prosecution asked the court to remand him in a correctional facility and requested a date for the commencement of trial.

For Chukwuebuka, the EFCC asked the court to schedule a date for the review of facts following his guilty plea.

Justice Ogazi subsequently adjourned the matter until August 27, 2026, for the review of facts and other proceedings. The judge also ordered that both defendants be remanded in a correctional centre.

Alleged Disclosure Of FCMB Credentials

According to the charges, Aghogho allegedly provided his access code to FCMB’s system through a local Administrative Credential (ITSD), which the prosecution said could facilitate unauthorised access to the bank’s Virtual Center Platform.

The EFCC alleged that the credentials were provided between July 24 and 26, 2026, in Lagos, with the intention of facilitating an unlawful act.

In another count, the anti-graft agency accused Aghogho of knowingly disclosing FCMB access credentials, including the bank’s server IP and domain credentials, between April and May 2025.

The prosecution alleged that the information was provided to facilitate access to the bank’s database in exchange for $15,000.

Chukwuebuka was similarly accused of unlawfully disclosing access credentials, including FCMB’s server IP and domain details, allegedly in exchange for $10,000.

The EFCC further alleged that Aghogho and Chukwuebuka, together with the individual identified as “Scott,” attempted to use an HP Elite laptop assigned to Aghogho by FCMB to gain unauthorised access to the bank’s database between July 24 and 26, 2026.

The commission also accused the defendants and “Scott” of making further attempts to unlawfully access FCMB’s network database.

The final two counts relate to the alleged retention of proceeds from unlawful activities.

The EFCC alleged that Aghogho retained $2,000 around July 26, 2026, while Chukwuebuka allegedly retained $400, despite allegedly knowing or having reason to believe that the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities.