Three men have been arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing the sum of N9.1million belonging to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.
The accused, Frank Nwokobia, 27; Ezeoke Kanayochukwu, 25; and Godwin Essien, 28 – were arraigned by the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) of the Lagos State Police Command before Justice Chuka Obiozor on a five-count charge of conspiracy, impersonation, and theft.
They were arrested at different locations in Delta State in May after they allegedly hacked into the Facebook account of the Lagos Speaker and accessed a series of personal information, which they used in withdrawing the sum of N9.1million from his Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) account.
Police prosecutor, Mr. Williams Olu Ologun, told the court that on arrest, the accused voluntarily made a statement admitting their involvement in a variety of cyber crimes.
The alleged offences are contrary to Sections 27(1)(b) and 22(2)(b)(ii) of Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act, 2015. The three accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their not guilty pleas, their lawyer, Mr. Ali Abba, urged the court to admit them to bail in liberal terms, as they have credible sureties and that they will always be in court for their trial.
Justice Obiozor admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N5 million, with one surety each. The surety, who must be recommended by the lawyer to the accused, must both own landed property and be resident in Lagos State. He is equally expected to possess proof of three-year tax payment.
The judge also stated that the landed property title documents and proof of tax payment must be verified by the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR). Thereafter, Justice Obiozor ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of their bail conditions.
