18th April, 2013
The operatives at the Special Fraud Unit of the Nigerian Police Force, Milverton Street, Ikoyi, Lagos southwest, Nigeria, have arrested two staff of a new generation bank for allegedly stealing the sum of $200,000 (about N30 million) belonging to their employer.
They were arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court on a 3 count charge of stealing and conversion.
The police alleged that the accused, Chinoyerum Akubundu, 45, female and Emeka Abike, 32, were arrested following a written complaint by the management of the bank that the accused on 5 and 18 March 2013 stole the $200,000 entrusted in their care to bring to the Lagos branch of the bank by air from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, southsouth Nigeria.
During interrogation, the accused could not give satisfactory account of how the money got missing in transit by air.
The offences, the prosecutor SP Emerho Frank said, contravened sections 409, 285 (5) and contrary to section 278 (2) (4) and punishable under section (1) and (2) of the criminal law of Lagos State 2011.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge and Magistrate Miss O.O. Fowowe admitted them on bail with two sureties in like sum with proof of tax payment to the Lagos State government.
The magistrate further directed that one of the sureties must be a blood relation, while the other must be working in a reputable firm.
She adjourned the matter till 30 April, 2013 for mention.
The defendants were moved to Ikoyi and Kirikiri Prisons respectively pending when they would fulfil the bail conditions.
—Paul Iyoghojie