The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Enugu zonal directorate has arraigned a former head of operations of Access Bank Plc, Obinna Nwaobi, over the unauthorized transfer of $510,000 from a customer’s account.
The EFCC had received a petition from Access Bank filed in September 2024, alerting the agency to suspicious transfers from the customer’s account that were moved into six separate accounts.
He appeared before Justice F.O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the federal high court in Enugu on Thursday to face a nine-count charge that includes forgery and obtaining money by false pretence.
He was accused of directing the movement of the funds from the account of Lantern Gate Nigeria Limited in August 2024 without the company’s approval.
The EFCC also alleged that he falsified an internal fund transfer form to support the transaction and misled the bank into believing the customer had issued a mandate for the withdrawals.
Nwaobi pleaded not guilty to all charges.
His lawyer, F.C. Obinna, urged the court to grant bail, citing a previously filed application supported by an affidavit.
The EFCC opposed the request, arguing that the strength of its evidence could prompt the defendant to flee if released.
Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo granted bail in the sum of ₦250 million with three sureties.
Two sureties must present titles to landed property in Enugu state, while a third must be a relative with verifiable tax records for the last three years.
The court also ordered Nwaobi to surrender his international passport, National Identification Number (NIN) slip, and passport photographs until the end of the trial.
He was remanded at the Enugu custodial centre pending the fulfilment of his bail terms.
The matter was adjourned to March 10, 11 and 12, 2026 for trial.
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