Absence Of Judge Stalls Arraignment Of Ex-Diamond Bank Staff

The absence of judge at the Federal High Court, Ibadan today stalled the arraignment  of six former members of staff of Diamond Bank PLC, a female customer and her three  firms over a five-count charge of allegedly granting of unsecured N7.8 billion  facilities and money laundering.

The accused persons being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission  (EFCC)are Adesoji Adekunle, Utienyen Obioru, AbdulAzeez Salau, Chukwuma Kalu,  Gbolahan Ladoja and Tokunbo Obayemi.

Others are Mrs Modupe Sobodu (customer) and her three firms: Dupsob Nigeria  Limited, Nukep Nigeria Limited and Mofadeb Investment Limited.

According to the charge sheet, the accused persons were involved in granting the  customers “unsecured and unauthorized credit facilities to the tune of N7.8 billion  contrary to the Failed Banks (recovery of debts) and Other Financial Malpractices in  Banks Act Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”

They were also charged with granting of credit facility against the security of  Diamond bank shares to the tune of N7.8 billion, an offence contrary to the Banks  and Other Financial Institutions Act laws of Federation of Nigeria 2007.”

The commission also charge  them of conspiracy to launder money contrary to Section  17A of the Money laundering Act 2004.

Earlier, an Abuja High Court had restrained the EFCC from arresting, detaining or in  any way interfering with the fundamental human rights of five former bankers in a 28  October judgment.

—Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan

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