The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on October 13, arraigned Michael Onimisi for developing software to defraud First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Plc.
The culprit developed the software code-named: “Bee-Leaf” and “Real-Eve” to hack into the security measures of the bank to defraud it of the sum of N17,785,010.75.
Onimisi was arraigned on six-count charges bordering on internet fraud and money laundering.
One of the counts reads, “You, Michael Anan Onimisi, sometime in June 2023, in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly retained the total sum of N17, 785,010.75 (Seventeen Million, Seven Hundred and Eighty-Five Thousand, Ten Naira and Seventy-Five Kobo only), from First City Monument Bank Plc, which funds you knew forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(d)of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act”.
The suspect pleaded not guilty to the six-count charges when they were read to him.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, N. Salele, asked for a trial date and further prayed the court to remand the defendant at a Correctional Centre before the commencement of trial.
However, the defence counsel, Rabiu Mohammed, also prayed the court for an application of bail before the court. Salele objected, pleading for more time to study and respond to it.
After listening to the arguments of both counsels, Justice Aikawa thereafter adjourned the matter till October 19, for hearing on the bail application and December 6, for commencement of trial.
He also ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Kaduna State.
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