5th March, 2012
Attempts by three staff of Enterprise Bank Limited to defraud the bank backfired as they have been sacked and subsequently arrested by the operatives at the Special Fraud Unit, Milverton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, for fraud.
The staff identified as Paul Oladejo, 38, Oyegoke Hanson Toba, 38, and Christopher Ebere Okoro, 32, were charged before an Igbosere magistrate’s court on a two-count charge bordering on felony to wit, fraud and stealing.
The prosecution alleged in charge No. B/7/2012 that the accused were arrested following a written complaint by the management of Enterprise Bank Limited that they uncovered a grand plan by the accused persons to steal their N400 million following a tip off from an insider through user profile and password.
The bank claimed that the accused persons transferred the money to other branches of the bank to facilitate withdrawal.
During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to the crime.
The offences are punishable under sections 409, 21 and 406 of the criminal laws of Lagos state of Nigeria.
The two-count charge reads: “That you, Paul Oladejo, Oyegoke Hanson Toba and Christopher Ebere Okoro on 26 and 27 January, 2012 in Ago Iwoye branch of Enterprise Bank Limited in Lagos magisterial district, with intent to defraud and steal, did attempt and remove the sum of N400 million from Enterprise Bank Limited through user profile and password of some staff and transferred the money to other branches.”
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and the presiding magistrate Mrs. F.O. Abegunde Davies admitted them to bail in the sum of N1 million each with two sureties in like sum who must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos state government.
She also directed that one of the sureties must be a landed property owner within the court’s jurisdiction, while the other must be a director with a reputable company.
She adjourned the matter till 27 March 2012 for mention.
The accused persons were moved to Ikoyi Prison when they could not fulfil the bail conditions in good time.
Meanwhile, litigants and court observers who witnessed the court proceedings commended the management of Enterprise Bank Limited for their vigilance.
—Paul Iyoghojie