Suspect Arraigned In Bank PHB’s Fraud

Detectives from the State Criminal Investigative Department, SCID, Yaba, Lagos State, South West Nigeria, have arraigned a man, Innocent Ukpepor, 28, before an Ebute-Metta Magistrate’s Court, Lagos in respect of the N150m BankPHB fraud.

The accused was alleged to have conspired with others now at large to steal N150m from customers’ accounts in branches of BankPHB in Nigeria, between December 2009 and January 2011.

He was arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and attempt to commit fraud which, according to the prosecuting police officers, Deputy Superintendent of Police E.O. Odumba and Mr. Ishiaku Babaji, are punishable under sections 516, 390(9) and 430 of the Criminal Code, Cap.C. 17, Vol. II, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.

Count one of the charges reads: “That you, Innocent Ukpepor, 28 and others at large, between the month of December 2010 and 25 January, 2011 at the BankPHB headquaters, 1, BankPHB Crescent, off Adeyemo Alakija Street, Victoria Island, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District did conspire to commit felony, to wit, attempt to commit fraud, unlawful possession and stealing and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap.C.17, Vol. II, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.”

Count three of the charges reads: “That you, Innocent Ukpepor, 28 and others at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district, did steal the sum of N150m from various customers’ accounts with BankPHB in parts of Nigeria with the aid of a computer key logger which you used to access the password of the Bank’s teller and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4 and punishable under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap. C.17, Vol. II, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.”

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was admitted on bail by Magistrate J. Ugbomoiko in the sum of N1m with one surety.

The magistrate directed that the surety must be a blood relation to the defendant and his office and home addresses must be verified by the court.

The case has been adjourned till 2 March, 2011, for trial.