Female Banker, Accomplice Sent To Prison Over Alleged N8.2M Fraud

Paul Iyoghojie

A senior banker with Access Bank Plc, Ladipo Branch, Mushin, Lagos, Beatrice Nwana, 33, has been arrested and arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court for allegedly obtaining the sum of USD40, 000 equivalent to N8, 240,000 from Obinna Ezenwata under false pretence.

Also arraigned with her for the same offence was Okwudili Onyetube a trader in spare parts in Oyingbo, Lagos.

Nwana, a native of Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria and Onyetube were arrested by the operatives of the Federal Criminal Investigation and intelligent department, FCIID, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos.

After investigation, the two were arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate Court, Lagos on a four-count charge of felony to wit. obtaining money under false pretence and stealing.

Police prosecutor, DSP Henry Obiazi informed the court in charge No. C/53/2017 that the accused persons committed the alleged offence in February, 2015 in Okota, Lagos.

Obiazi told the court that the female banker connived with her accomplice to collect the sum of USD40, 000 equivalent to N8, 240, 000 from the complainant with a promise to exchange it with naira equivalent, but that the two accused failed to provide the naira equivalent of N8, 240, 000 to the complainant and instead converted the money to their use.

He said that when all efforts by the complainant to retrieve his money from the accused persons since 2015 proved futile, he reported the matter to the police leading to the arrest of the accused persons.

Obiazi said that the offences committed were punishable under sections 411, 314 (1) (A) and 287 (5) (A) of the criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the alleged crime in the open court and Chief Magistrate O.A Komolafe granted them bail in the sum of N3 million each with two sureties in like sum.

Komolafe adjourned the cased till 19 September, 2017 for mention while the defendants were remanded  in Kirikiri and Ikoyi prisons respectively pending when they will be able to fulfill their bail conditions.