Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Henry Owen
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former Head of Operations at Access Bank Plc, Enugu branch, Obinna Nwaobi, over allegations of forgery and the criminal diversion of $510,000 belonging to a bank customer.
According to the EFCC, “The Enugu Zonal Directorate… on Thursday, November 13, 2025 arraigned one Obinna Nwaobi… before Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State.”
Nwaobi is facing a nine-count charge, with prosecutors accusing him of orchestrating fraudulent transfers from a customer’s account. The anti-graft agency stated: “He was arraigned on a nine-count charge bordering on forgery and criminal diversion of 510, 000. 00 USD… belonging to a customer of the bank.”
One of the charges alleges that on August 8, 2024, he induced the bank to transfer the funds under false pretence. The count reads in part:
“…under the false pretence that Lantern Gate Nigeria Limited gave her consent and mandate for the said transfer which pretence you knew to be false…”
Another count accuses him of forging an internal bank transfer document. The EFCC said he “knowingly forged a document… with intent that it may be acted upon as genuine to the prejudice of Access Bank Plc.”
When the charges were read, Nwaobi pleaded not guilty.
His lawyer, F.C. Obinna, urged the court to grant bail, citing a pending application dated October 24, 2025. However, the EFCC opposed the request, arguing that the strength of the evidence could make the defendant flee. The prosecution stated:
“…the quality of evidence we have… might put fear in him and he might want to abscond.”
After hearing both sides, Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo granted bail in the sum of N250 million, with three sureties. Two must own landed property in Enugu, while the third—who must be a relative—is required to provide proof of tax payments for three years.
The court also ordered the defendant and sureties to deposit two passport photographs each and directed Nwaobi to surrender his international passport and National Identification Number pending the conclusion of the case.
The matter was adjourned to March 10, 11, and 12, 2026 for trial, and the defendant was remanded at the Enugu Custodial Centre.
The case began after Access Bank filed a petition on September 11, 2024, reporting unauthorized transfers from the account of a customer. According to the bank,
“the sum of $510, 000. 00 belonging to… Lantern Gate Nigeria Limited was moved to six different accounts… without the approval of the customer.”
The EFCC says the trial will determine whether the former bank official abused his position to divert the funds.
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