EFCC Arraigns Ecobank Employee for Diverting Customer Funds to Personal Account

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Solomon Stephen Ufayo, an employee of Ecobank Nigeria Plc, over an alleged case of cybercrime involving N2.4 million. Ufayo was brought before Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos on May 16, 2025, on a one-count charge bordering on fraudulent cyber activity.

According to the EFCC, Ufayo, while serving as a relief teller at the bank, falsely presented himself as a customer named Omowunmi Ajoke. Between March 10 and 28, 2025, he allegedly manipulated the bank’s system by posting fake deposit and withdrawal slips on Ajoke’s account, ultimately withdrawing a total of N2,404,000. The funds were reportedly diverted into his personal Opay account.

The charge against Ufayo states that his actions were in violation of Section 22(2)(b)(i) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition and Prevention) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22(2)(b) of the same Act. He pleaded guilty to the charge.

Following the plea, EFCC operative David Gajere presented the details of the investigation to the court. Gajere confirmed that Ufayo provided an extra-judicial statement and has since issued a bank draft to refund the full amount in restitution to the affected customer. The court admitted the statement, deposit slips, and bank draft as evidence.

Prosecuting counsel Abdulhamid L. Tukur submitted the documents, which were accepted and marked as exhibits by the court. Justice Bogoro adjourned the matter until June 6, 2025, for judgment and ordered that Ufayo be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.