The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former staff member of Access Bank Plc, Chinonso Akujobi, before the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja over the alleged theft of N294.5million belonging to the bank.

Akujobi was arraigned on Thursday by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the anti-graft agency before Justice I.O. Ijelu on a five-count charge bordering on stealing and alleged unauthorized diversion of bank funds.

According to the EFCC, the defendant allegedly stole a total of N294,595,992 through unauthorized transfers while working at the bank in 2025.

One of the charges alleged that between January and December 2025, Akujobi, while in the employment of Access Bank Plc, dishonestly converted bank funds to personal accounts through unauthorised payments from the bank's general ledger.

The charge stated that the defendant allegedly transferred N109,325,566.86 into Access Bank account number 0036668871 and other accounts bearing the names "Chinonso A.," "Uchechi A." and "Florence A."

The prosecution said the alleged actions contravened Section 280 and are punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

When the charges were read in court, Akujobi pleaded not guilty to all five counts.

Following the plea, prosecution counsel, S.M. Yabo, urged the court to fix a date for trial and requested that the defendant be remanded 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 defendant's bail application and the commencement of trial.

The court also ordered that Akujobi be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.

The count read, "That you, Chinonso Akujobi, sometime between January and December, 2025, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with a dishonest intent, and while under the employment of Access Bank Plc, stole and converted for your own use, by unauthorized payments from the general ledger of the bank to your Access Bank account number 0036668871 with the name Chinonso A., Uchechi A. and Florence A, the sum of N109,325,566.86 (One Hundred and Nine Million Three Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Five Hundred and Sixty-six Naira Eighty-six Kobo), thereby committed an offence stealing, contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.” (Sahara Reporters)

Update news