10th June, 2017
Paul Iyoghojie
The police at Ikoyi Division of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a customer of Union Bank of Nigeria, UBN, Emeka Chukwuma, 62, for allegedly stealing the sum of N4,176,950.65 belonging to the bank which it erroneously transferred into his account.
The suspect was arrested on the order of the Divisional Police Officer, DPO of the police division, SP Tijani Mustapha following the complaint by the management of the bank.
The suspect was arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate Court on a two-count charge of stealing.
Police prosecutor, Jimoh Joseph, informed the court in charge No. A/17A/2017 that the accused committed the offence on 7 December, 2016 at the Union Bank of Nigeria, Lagos.
Joseph told the court that the management of the Union Bank, during their daily transactions, erroneously transferred the sum of N4,176,960.65 into the account of the accused.
He said immediately the bank management discovered the wrong transaction, they quickly informed the accused about the development, but that the accused still went ahead to withdraw all the money from different branches with ATM card and withdrawal slip before the money could be recalled.
Joseph said the offence committed by the accused was punishable under sections 411 and 287 of the criminal laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty and the Chief Magistrate, Mrs. O. O. Oshin admitted him on bail in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties in like sum.
Oshin adjourned the case till 17 July, 2017 for mention while the defendant was taken to the Ikoyi Prison, pending when he would be able to fulfill his bail condition.