A prosecution witness, Ajayi Michael Folaseye, on Monday testified before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, detailing how he turned down a $7,000 bribe allegedly offered by a colleague seeking unauthorized access to Premium Trust Bank’s internal systems.
Ajayi, the first witness called by the prosecution, gave his account before Justice Alexander Owoeye in the ongoing trial of two bank staff members, Kehinde Odeyemi and Matthew Adeniyi Damilola.
The duo, along with three other individuals — Samson Latshin Dakup, Bolaji Omotosho Yinka, and Sunday Badeniyi Okunola — are facing a seven-count charge related to conspiracy and attempted theft. The case is being prosecuted by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to an official update from the EFCC’s X (formerly Twitter) handle, Ajayi recounted that one of the defendants tried to bribe him in exchange for access to the bank’s internal infrastructure.
“I was offered $7,000 to provide access into the bank’s internal system, but I refused and immediately reported the incident,” Ajayi said in court.
The EFCC emphasized that the case is part of its broader effort to combat financial crimes in the banking sector. The accused were arraigned after investigations revealed an alleged plot to exploit the bank’s internal systems through insider collaboration.
The trial has been adjourned, with further proceedings to continue as additional witnesses are expected to testify.
