Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos Special Offences Court, Ikeja, has sentenced Hamza Zakaria and Nurudeen Ibrahim to 26 months imprisonment each for their role in an N8.56 billion cyber fraud.

The pair were found guilty of unauthorized access to the computer systems of a new-generation bank. They were initially arraigned on May 2, 2025, alongside other suspects, on a four-count charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Their offenses included conspiracy, stealing, and unlawful access to a computer system, contrary to Sections 409 and 331 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2011. Both defendants initially pleaded not guilty but later changed their plea following amended charges presented by the EFCC.

During proceedings, EFCC counsel Muhammad Bashir called on operative Airende Monday, who submitted documents that were admitted into evidence.

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

The court sentenced the defendants to eight months on count one and one year and six months on count two, to run concurrently, with an option of a N50,000 fine.

The EFCC noted that Zakaria, Ibrahim, and other suspects still at large conspired in January 2025 to illegally access and manipulate Wema Bank’s computer systems, transferring and retaining criminal proceeds from the breach.