The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned a 47-year-old man, Ugochukwu Eze, popularly known as “Amazon,” before the Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged cyberattack on Suntrust Bank Plc that resulted in the diversion of more than N800 million.
Eze was brought before Justice Friday Ogazi on Thursday, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against him.
The prosecution alleged that Eze and other suspects still at large conspired between 2023 and 2026 to unlawfully interfere with the computer system of Suntrust Bank, resulting in the fraudulent diversion of funds belonging to the financial institution.
According to the DSS, the defendant allegedly gained unauthorised access to the bank’s computer system and used the cyberattack to divert over N800 million into various accounts.
The prosecution also accused Eze of concealing and transferring various sums allegedly connected to cyberattacks on financial institutions.
He was further accused of unlawfully gaining access to critical national financial information infrastructure.
The DSS said the alleged offences contravene Sections 5, 6(1) and 8 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024, alongside Sections 10, 20 and 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
One of the charges alleged that Eze, between 2023 and 2026 in Lagos and other locations within the jurisdiction of the court, “unlawfully hindered the function” of Suntrust Bank’s computer system and, in the process, diverted more than N800 million belonging to the bank.
The alleged offence is stated to be punishable under Section 8 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024.
Following Eze’s plea, DSS counsel, M. Bajela, asked the court to adjourn the case for trial and order that the defendant remain in custody pending the determination of the matter.
However, defence counsel, E. Afrogha, told the court that a bail application had already been filed on behalf of Eze.
Afrogha also informed the court that his client had spent more than one month in DSS custody.
Bajela responded that the prosecution had not been served with the bail application. He nevertheless told the court that prosecution witnesses were ready to commence proceedings.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Ogazi adjourned the case until August 24 for the hearing of the defendant’s bail application.
The judge also ordered that Eze be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the hearing and determination of his bail request.
The case centres on allegations of cybercrime, unlawful interference with a financial institution’s computer system and the diversion and laundering of funds. Eze remains presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court.
