Access Bank Plc and one of its employees are enmeshed in legal troubles after a four-count charge was filed against them at the Federal High Court over the alleged diversion of N825.9 million in state funds into a fraudulent account.

According to Premium Times, the e charges, filed by the federal government, followed an investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The charges, filed at the Sokoto Judicial Division, accused Abdulmalik Abubakar, a relationship manager at Access Bank’s Sokoto branch, and the bank itself of conspiracy, money laundering, and concealment of stolen funds.

The state counsel in count one alleged that the defendants created a fake “Internal Revenue Service Account” with number 1873016763, through which they received N825.9 million between May 2024 and January 2025, in violation of Nigeria’s Money Laundering Act of 2022 and the Corrupt Practices Act of 2000.

The second count accuses them of allegedly concealing the same funds through the same fraudulent account, said to have been created at Access Bank’s Sokoto branch.

According to the court, the bank and Abubakar committed an offence contrary to section 18 (2)(a) and punishable under sections 18(3), 18 (4), 22(1) and 22(2) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

In count three, prosecutors say the money was fraudulently received through the fake account, “thereby committing an offence contrary to section 13 and punishable under section 68 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000”.

Count four alleges that Abubakar and the bank directly concealed the laundered funds, “thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under section 24 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000”.

The federal government said the money was diverted without authorisation and concealed in breach of anti-corruption and money laundering laws.

According to a hearing notice signed on May 2, the case had been moved from the General Cause List to a hearing set for May 19 (yesterday).

It will be heard on that date if the court’s schedule allows.

Otherwise, it will be postponed without further notice.

The hearing may last up to two days.

The notice said either party wishing to postpone must apply to the court promptly and provide proof if the reason involves factual matters.

At the hearing, both parties must present all evidence, including witnesses and documents.

Evidence must be submitted during the hearing.

Failure to do so may result in exclusion or costs.

It said parties wanting witnesses to attend should immediately request the court to issue summons, allowing enough time to notify them.

If witnesses must bring documents, these must be clearly specified.

The party requesting witnesses must pay reasonable fees for their expenses and loss of time, as fixed by the court.

Attendance may be refused if fees are not deposited.

If either party wishes to use documents held by the other, they must notify them in writing ahead of the hearing.

Otherwise, they cannot present secondary evidence.

The notice was issued by order of the court.

When contacted, Kunle Aderinokun, Access Bank spokesperson, said the bank would issue an official statement on the matter, according to Premium Times.

Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday fixed 26 May to hear a suit filed by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) Plc against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and others.

NIBSS, in the suit, is seeking an order to prevent any institution from challenging its statutory authority to maintain and manage the Bank Verification Number (BVN) database in Nigeria.

BVN is a unique number that allows individual accounts to be verified across the Nigerian banking industry.

Judge James Omotosho fixed the date after dismissing an application for joinder filed by Data Privacy Lawyers Association (DPLAN).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NIBSS, through its lawyer, Ademolai Esan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), had sued the Digital Rights Lawyers Initiative (ITDRLI), the CBN and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), seeking the court’s declaration that it is the body statutorily empowered to maintain and manage the BVN database.

The BVN is an identification number which holds an individual’s bank account details. The number is also connected to an individual’s National Identification Number (NIN).

Both the BVN and the NIN are key identity numbers that hold sensitive biometric imprints virtually all important personal information of millions of Nigerians.

With the diverse uses of digital platforms for daily routines such as banking and accessing the internet as well as well registration for various government and many private bodies’ services, including acquiring a passport or a SIM card, it is increasingly difficult to live in Nigeria without NIN.

No one can legitimately operate a bank account in Nigerian without BVN, and by extension NIN. You cannot also use a mobile phone without having NIN.

The dispute over the control and management of the BVN raises data privacy and surveillance concerns.

“Pursuant to the provisions of the framework, NIBSS, as a designated participant in BVN operations, is statutorily authorised to manage and maintain the BVN database and ensure its seamless operation, among other functions,” it added.

It, therefore, accused ITDRLI (1st defendant) of filing multiple suits, either directly or through proxies, challenging its authority to manage the BVN database and alleging that such management violates constitutional privacy rights.

However, ITDRLI denied the allegations in its court processes, asking the court to dismiss the suit.

Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the launch of four satellites aimed at strengthening Earth observation capabilities and improving national security, according to Uche Nnaji, minister of Innovation, Science and Technology.

Uche Nnaji, minister of Innovation, Science and Technology

Speaking at the 22nd National Council on Innovation, Science and Technology (NCIST) in Abuja, Nnaji said the satellites include three Earth Observation models and one Radar Aperture satellite. The council meeting was held from 12 to 14 May under the theme: “Research, Develop, Innovate and Commercialise: A Cycle for National Prosperity.”

“Just last week, the Federal Executive Council approved that Nigeria launch four satellites—three Earth Observation satellites and one search satellite,” the minister said.

According to him, the Radar Aperture satellite will be capable of capturing images under various conditions, including nighttime and rainfall.

“The search satellite is the one that will pick images both day, night, during rain, every time of the day, and that is technology in play. The military can use it effectively,” he said.

Nnaji noted that this will reduce Nigeria’s reliance on purchasing data and imagery for monitoring remote areas like the Sambisa forest.

On policy development, he said an inter-ministerial committee is reviewing the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy and working on establishing a National Research and Innovation Fund.

“As a country, we can no longer afford to ignore the widening gap between research and real-world impact,” Nnaji said. “For decades, valuable research conducted in our universities and institutions has remained underutilised, disconnected from industries and policy.”

He pointed out the challenges faced by young innovators, including a lack of structured support and financing to transform ideas into marketable products.

“Let this 22nd edition of NCIST mark the beginning of a new chapter, one where every research has a roadmap to industry,” he said.

Nnaji called for sustained efforts from researchers, private investors, and regulators to ensure innovations are protected and supported. “The government must build and enforce regulatory frameworks that protect, support, and incentivise innovation at every level,” he added.

He said the council’s resolutions would be forwarded to FEC for formal adoption and reaffirmed the ministry’s plan to restore the council’s annual meeting schedule after delays pushed the 22nd edition into 2025.

Esuabana Nko-Asanye, the ministry’s permanent secretary, described the meeting as a platform to promote inter-sectoral collaboration and address challenges such as insecurity, unemployment, and climate change. She said 109 memoranda were presented, highlighting proposals on issues like commercialising research, boosting funding for innovation, and building capacity in emerging technologies.

“The richness and diversity of these submissions underscore the growing recognition of science, technology and innovation as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s sustainable development,” Nko-Asanye said.

George Akume, secretary to the Government of the Federation, represented by Morris Mbaeri, said building a resilient innovation ecosystem is key to national development. “This cycle is very essential in addressing real-world challenges and unlocking long-term prosperity,” he said.

Azikiwe Onwualu, president, African University of Science and Technology (AUST), urged the government to increase research and development spending to 3% of GDP and proposed the establishment of more RDIC clusters that integrate academia, industry, and startups.

He said: “We should operationalise the National Research and Innovation Council Fund to coordinate RDIC efforts as envisaged in the STI policy.”