₦airaland Forum

Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, convicted and sentenced the duo of Hamza Zakaria and Nurudeen Mohammed Ibrahim to two years and two months’ imprisonment for their roles in an ₦8.56 billion fraud involving unauthorized access to a new-generation bank’s computer systems.

Zakaria and Ibrahim were initially arraigned on May 2, 2025, alongside other defendants, on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, and unauthorized access to a computer system, contrary to Sections 409 and 331 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Count One reads that: “HAMZA ZAKARIA AND NURUDEEN MOHAMMED IBRAHIM and other persons at large, sometime in January 2025 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to transfer and otherwise retain criminal proceeds from unauthorized access to Wema Bank’s computer and servers.”

Count Two reads that: “HAMZA ZAKARIA AND NURUDEEN MOHAMMED IBRAHIM and other persons at large, sometime in January 2025 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, transferred and otherwise retained control of ₦24,890,000 paid into Exact Group Limited account number 0121622626 domiciled with Wema Bank — money which formed part of ₦8,568,090,500 (Eight Billion, Five Hundred and Sixty-Eight Million, Ninety Thousand, Five Hundred Naira) stolen from other domiciled accounts with Wema Bank Nigeria Plc through unauthorized access to their computer and server.”

They pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.

However, on Friday, November 14, 2025, the defendants changed their plea to guilty following the presentation of amended charges, prompting the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.

While reviewing facts of the case, prosecuting counsel, M.K. Bashir called witness Airende Monday, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He addressed the court on the charges preferred against the defendants. Several documents were tendered and admitted as exhibits.

Delivering judgment, Justice Oshodi stated: “I find the defendants guilty in the two-count amended information, and I convict them accordingly. This is the judgment of the court.”

He sentenced them to eight months’ imprisonment on count one and one year and six months’ imprisonment on count two. Both sentences are to run concurrently. The sentence came with an option of fine of ₦50,000.

The convicts bagged their imprisonment when they were arrested for hacking into the system of a new generation bank and made away with the sum of ₦8,568,090,500 (Eight Billion, Five Hundred and Sixty-Eight Million, Ninety Thousand, Five Hundred Naira). They were charged to court and convicted.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1377914474371752&id=100064596373289

Mr Blogger, Is Still Surprised, To Be Frank ooo

Just two years for ₦8.5b?

Crime is becoming juicy in this country.

immortalcrown:
Just two years for ₦8.5b?

Crime is becoming juicy in this country.

Do you saw option of fine?

1. I hope they will refund the loot.

2. Even so, the amount of resources to apprehend them and charge them to court is more than 50k fine.

Judge is high on grass.

This Naija justice system is just somehow

They even have option of fine of #50k,,,,,the guys will just be laughing.....

Mumu Judiciary, The Same Judges That Were Singing "On Your Mandate We Shall Stand " to Tinubu

For this country if you wan thief make sure you thief better money, huge one.

Cos big money small sentence, small money big sentence.

The P&L sheet is looking healthy for these criminals.

Crime is becoming lucrative in this country
, judiciary has been bought.

Inspirer1:
This Naija justice system is just somehow

They even have option of fine of #50k,,,,,the guys will just be laughing.....

I’m very sure they are already walking free by now

[quote author= post=137520249]Do you saw option of fine?[/quote]The 50thousand is it in kuwait dinar abi Bitcoin or Eth?

poiZon:
The 50thousand is it in kuwait dinar abi Bitcoin or Eth?

Leave am!

Nobi Nigeria again, we go just dey surprise the devil.

Seriously? 2 years with option of 50k fine? It really speaks volumes

[i][/i]

AdolfHitlerxXx:
1. I hope they will refund the loot.

2. Even so, the amount of resources to apprehend them and charge them to court is more than 50k fine.

Judge is high on grass.

Before you see them change their plea to guilty, they don sort the judge, dpp and those involved, lets wait and see whether efcc will challenge the verdict and appeal it or the bank itself will challenge it.
Cos 50k option of fine is not fine at all.
These guys r encouraging such criminality in the system by such mild punishment.
I rest my case

You see how the court jail these guys sharp sharp. If na politicians now them go they postpone their case or give them bail condition.

Inspirer1:
This Naija justice system is just somehow

They even have option of fine of #50k,,,,,the guys will just be laughing.....

It looks more like a plea bargain. Hope they restituted

Inspirer1:
This Naija justice system is just somehow

They even have option of fine of #50k,,,,,the guys will just be laughing.....

These Judges are criminals too in useless attires. They collect fraud money directly from these criminals, if not is this a sentence.
Isn't this encouraging others too to do same.

Lifestone:
It looks more like a plea bargain. Hope they restituted

maybe that's why the option of #50k was given.

Do the crime and social the time, but this time just isn't enough for the crime.

immortalcrown:
Just two years for ₦8.5b?

Crime is becoming juicy in this country.

with an option of #50,000 fine

Let's say they recovered every money they stole, these people already have the skills and without enough deterrent,they will strike again at another bank


What is wrong with this country please??

2 years for N85Billion fraud? This is very interesting.

Scam N8.5 billion get two years in prison. N5.5 billion is recovered and you are left with N3 billion when you are out.

Follow me for more financial advice.

Disclaimer: Hell-fire is real 🔥

Lol…fine of 50k!?…e no go better for the people wey write this our constitution

Pls can someone explain to me the option of fine of 50k for the fraud of 8.5b

You missed out the part where the judge hugged them and patted them on the backs.
They shared a drink at a local pub later that evening.