Seven Sentenced to Prison in Over ₦1 Billion Agency Banking Scam at TAJBank
A Kaduna State High Court has handed down prison sentences to seven individuals in a major agency banking fraud case linked to TAJBank Limited. The convicts, Caleb Ibrahim Hamman, Miracle Nuhu Tukurah, Jeremiah John, Emmanuel Edward, Anryu Akindarju Mamza, Emmanuel Yashima Mana, and Adebayo Olarotimi Akanbi, were found guilty on charges ranging from impersonation and forgery to obtaining funds by false pretences.
The Scheme: How the Fraud Unfolded
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted the defendants before a panel of judges at the Kaduna Zonal Directorate. Each was accused of using falsified identities and forged documents to access funds via TAJBank’s agency banking network.
Notable charges include:
- Emmanuel Edward (“Yoo”): Allegedly posed as a Chinese national on WeChat in June 2025 and fraudulently obtained 1,000 Chinese Yuan—behavior prohibited under Section 308 of the Kaduna State Penal Code.
- Anryu Mamza: Charged with presenting himself as an EFCC officer in January 2024 to defraud an individual named Farouq Ahmad Umar
Court Ruling & Sentences
Cases involving Hamman, Tukurah, Mamza, and Mana were heard by Justice Isiaka.
Jeremiah John appeared before Justice Khobo.
Edward and Akanbi were tried by Justice Zubairu.
All were convicted on counts of impersonation and forgery and sentenced accordingly, marking a firm judicial rebuke of their roles in a crime that siphoned over ₦1 billion from TAJBank’s agent-based services.
The Broader Context: Agency Banking Under Attack
TAJBank is one of Nigeria’s non-interest banks, pioneering financial inclusion through its TAJExpress agent network. This case highlights vulnerabilities in the agency banking framework, often exploited via forged documents or stolen identities.
Industry observers underscore that, as digital banking grows, so does fraud. For instance, national data shows banking losses surged from N11.6 billion in 2020 to N52.3 billion in 2024, with fraud attempts hitting N86.4 billion in the same year. Many incidents involve compromised IDs and internal collusion
What’s Next
The heavy sentences delivered in Kaduna send a clear deterrent message. Fraud involving agency banking is now under sharp scrutiny, and both financial institutions and regulators must reinforce authentication protocols, agent vetting, and oversight mechanisms.
TAJBank did not publicly comment on the case. Meanwhile, the convicts remain in custody as legal penalties unfold. Their cases represent one of the most significant agency-banking-related fraud convictions brought forward in recent memory.
