11th June, 2010
United bank for Africa, Plc, Ilupeju branch, Lagos State, Nigeria, and three of the staff have been dragged before the Ebute- Metta Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, Nigeria over Automated Teller Machine (ATM) fraud.
The plaintiff, Sergeant Marti Omosefe, a police officer attached to the Lagos State Command, accused the bank and the officials of withdrawing N223,760, from his account illegally.
Those dragged to court include Mrs. Chude Chidima, Personnel Manager; Oladapo Omogbehin, Computer Operator and Mrs. Oluwakemi Nwauzo, Customer Care Service Officer. They were charged with a four-count charge of conspiracy, fraud, false presentation and stealing.
The offences, according to the police prosecutor, Inspector Philip Ogbodu, are contrary and punishable under sections 516, 516, 484 and 390 of the Criminal Code, Cap. C.17, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.
Count two of the charge reads: “That you, United Bank for Africa Plc, Chude Chidima, Oladapo Omogbehin, Oluwakemi Nwauzo and others still at large, on or about 10 November, 2009, at UBA Plc., Ilupeju branch, Lagos, in the Lagos magisterial district, became accessory after the fact of felony by aiding or assisting in defrauding Sergeant Martin Omosefe, the sum of N223, 760. 03k, through Automated Teller Machine (ATM), thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap. C.17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.â€
Both the bank and its staff pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge, while their counsel, Fidelis Chukwu begged the court to grant them bail on liberal terms.
The request was rejected by the prosecutor and the complainant’s counsel, Barrister Apeye C. Becon but Magistrate D. Ojo, granted them bail in the sum of N50,000 with two sureties each, who must be working in a reputable organisation.
She also ordered that the addresses of the sureties must be verified. The case has been adjourned till 19 July, 2010, for trial.
—Paul Sanusi