Premium Trust Bank IT Officer Turned Down $7,000 Bribe in Failed Server Hacking Plot
Premium Trust Bank IT Officer Turned Down $7,000 Bribe in Failed Server Hacking Plot
A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, was surprised on Monday as a Premium Trust Bank employee testified about rejecting a $7,000 bribe in a foiled cyber intrusion attempt.
Ajayi Michael Folaseye, an Information Technology officer with the bank, appeared as the first prosecution witness in the trial of five staff members charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for attempting to hack the bank’s internal server.
According to Folaseye, on May 5, 2025, he was approached by Kehinde Odeyemi, an internal auditor at the bank, who allegedly offered him an initial bribe of $5,000 later increased to $7,000 to share access to a sensitive internal IP address.
“She urged me to keep it confidential and offered money. When I declined, she said she would resign if I reported it,” Folaseye told the court.
The accused persons Kehinde Odeyemi, Matthew Adeniyi Damilola, Samson Latshin Dakup, Bolaji Omotosho Yinka, and Sunday Badeniyi Okunola are facing a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy to steal and attempted cybercrime.
Led in evidence by EFCC’s lead counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the witness said he reported the bribery attempt to his superiors, which led to an internal investigation and subsequent EFCC involvement.
Folaseye explained that the IP address in question provided critical access to the bank’s core systems and customer transaction data. “If compromised, it would have meant a serious breach of trust and data security,” he said.
The EFCC stated that the accused, along with others still at large, conspired to manipulate server credentials in a bid to siphon funds.
Despite objections from the defence regarding access to case documents, Justice Alexander Owoeye admitted Folaseye’s EFCC statement into evidence and ruled that the trial would proceed. The case was adjourned to July 18 for continuation of trial.
