The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned a 47-year-old, Ugochukwu Eze, popularly known as “Amazon,” before a Federal High Court in Lagos, over allegations that he hacked into the server of SunTrust Bank Plc and fraudulently diverted N800 million into several accounts.
The court has remanded him at the correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.
Eze was arraigned before Justice Friday Ogazi on Thursday, August 6, 2026, on a five-count charge bordering on cybercrime, unauthorised access to critical financial infrastructure, and money laundering.
According to the prosecutor, Muhammed Bajela, the defendant and others still at large, allegedly conspired between 2023 and 2026 to unlawfully interfere with the bank’s computer system, resulting in the diversion of over N800 million belonging to SunTrust Bank.
The DSS further alleged that Eze concealed and transferred proceeds linked to the alleged cyberattacks through some financial institutions and unlawfully accessed critical national financial information infrastructure.
Bajela maintained that the offences violated 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 charge was read, Eze pleaded not guilty.
Based on his plea, the prosecutor urged the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in the custody of a correctional centre pending the conclusion of the trial.
However, the defence counsel, Ezekiel Afrogha, informed Justice Ogazi that a bail application had been filed on behalf of the defendant and that he had been in the custody of the DSS for over a month.
Responding, the prosecution stated it had not been served with the bail application, but added that its witnesses were available to proceed.
Justice Ogazi subsequently adjourned the case until August 24, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) until his bail request is determined.
One of the counts alleges that Eze, between 2023 and 2026, unlawfully hindered the operation of SunTrust Bank Plc’s computer system and fraudulently diverted over N800 million belonging unauthorised access to computer systems, data interference, and computer-related fraud.
The Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, also criminalises the concealment and transfer of proceeds of crime.
As the case progresses, the court will determine whether the prosecution can prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
For now, Ugochukwu Eze, the man known as “Amazon,” remains in custody, with his bail application scheduled to be heard on August 24, 2026.
SunTrust Bank, meanwhile, continues its battle to recover the N800 million allegedly lost to the hackers, a saga that has now moved from the digital realm into the corridors of justice.
