NEWS
DSS Arraigns Alleged Hacker Over ₦800 Million SunTrust Bank Cyber Fraud
A major cybercrime case involving one of Nigeria’s commercial banks has unfolded at the Federal High Court in Lagos, where operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arraigned a 47-year-old man, Ugochukwu Eze, popularly known as Amazon, over his alleged role in a sophisticated cyberattack that reportedly cost SunTrust Bank Plc more than N800 million.
The case stems from an alleged series of cyber intrusions said to have occurred between 2023 and 2026, during which the bank’s computer server was reportedly compromised by hackers who fraudulently diverted funds into multiple accounts.
According to the DSS, the defendant and several accomplices who are still at large allegedly conspired to infiltrate the bank’s computer system, disrupting its operations and illegally transferring over N800 million belonging to SunTrust Bank Plc.
The prosecution further alleged that Ugochukwu concealed and transferred proceeds traced to the cyberattacks on financial institutions while also causing unauthorised access to critical National Financial Information Infrastructure, an offence considered a serious threat to the country’s financial security.
Appearing before Justice Friday Ogazi, the defendant was arraigned on multiple counts bordering on cybercrime, money laundering, and unlawful interference with critical financial infrastructure.
Counsel to the DSS, M. Bajela Esq, informed the court that investigations revealed the defendant and his accomplices executed the alleged cyber fraud over a three-year period, leading to massive financial losses for the bank.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences contravene Sections 5, 6(1) and 8 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2024, as well as Sections 10, 20 and 18(2)(D) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
When the charges were read, Ugochukwu pleaded not guilty to all the allegations.
Following the plea, the prosecution urged the court to fix a date for trial and requested that the defendant remain in custody pending the determination of the case.
However, defence counsel, E. Afrogha, informed the court that a bail application had already been filed on behalf of the defendant, adding that he had remained in DSS custody for more than one month.
The prosecution opposed the request, stating that it had not yet been served with the bail application and also informed the court that its witnesses were ready to testify.
After listening to both parties, Justice Friday Ogazi adjourned the matter until August 24 for the hearing of the defendant’s bail application.
The court also ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) pending the determination of his bail request.
One of the charges filed against the defendant reads:
“That you UGOCHUKWU EZE (AKA AMAZON) (M) (47 YEARS) sometime between 2023 and 2026 in Lagos, and other places within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, unlawfully seriously hindered the function of Suntrust Bank Plc’s computer system, and in the process fraudulently diverted over ₦800, 000,000.00 (Eight Hundred Million Naira) belonging to the said Suntrust Bank Plc, thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 8 of the cybercrime (prohibition, prevention etc.) Act, 2024.”