Idara Jerome, Uyo

The Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former Access Bank employee, Chinonso Akujobi, before the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja over an alleged N294,595,992 theft.

The anti-graft agency disclosed that Akujobi was arraigned on Thursday, July 9, before Justice I. O. Ijelu on a five-count charge bordering on stealing.

The EFCC alleged that Akujobi “stole and converted” N294.5 million while working with Access Bank Plc through unauthorised transfers into bank accounts linked to her.

One of the charges reads: “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 ₦109,325,566.86 (One Hundred and Nine Million Three Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Five Hundred and Sixty-six Naira Eighty-six Kobo), thereby committed the offence of stealing, contrary to Section 280 and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015,” the Commission stated.

Akujobi pleaded not guilty to the charges. Following the plea, prosecution counsel S.M. Yabo asked the court for a trial date and prayed that the defendant be remanded in a correctional centre pending trial.

Justice Ijelu adjourned the case until October 8, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application and the commencement of trial, and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.