EFCC arraigns four ex-bankers over N129 million fraud
The Enugu Zonal office of the EFCC, on Tuesday, arraigned four bankers on a twelve count charge of stealing and fraudulently obtaining a sum of N129 million.
One of the four bankers who were arraigned before Justice Ike Agu of the State High Court, Onitsha, Anambra State was Nwachukwu Placidus, a former Manager of First City Monument Bank Ltd, Onitsha Branch.
Three former bankers with Idemili Micro Finance Bank Ltd also arraigned before the court were Nnewi Ohaegbunam Chinyere, Egbosi Chiemenam and Nkeiru Okeke.
Chinyere, Chiemenam, and Okeke were Managing Director, Internal Auditor, Head of Credit and Marketing of the bank respectively.
The first defendant, Nwachukwu Placidus according to petition recieved by the Commission, diverted funds received from Idemilli Micro Finance Bank meant to be placed as fixed deposit to his personal accounts.
Further investigation revealed that given his personal unfavourable involvement in the forex businesses, he diverted most of the monies meant for fixed deposits while claiming they were severally rolled over and had presented forged fixed deposit certificates to cover his tracks.
The three ex-bankers were said to have, at several periods and on different capacities as Managing Director, Internal Auditor, Head of Credit and Marketing, facilitated the said deposits.
They were also alleged to have negated official ethics of banking in handling the case by not fully adhering to known banking procedures.
The former bankers’ alleged non-compliance and unresponsive attitude, which was displayed by non availability of instruments pertaining to the transaction on the fixed deposits, was seen by the EFCC as being a case for their complicity in the fraud.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Judge granted the defendants bail on different conditions.
Nwachukwu was told to produce a sum of N2million with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be residing within the jurisdiction of the court and must have landed properties, the judge ruled.
Chinyere, Chiemenam, and Okeke were respectively granted bail in the sum of N1million and one surety each. The surety must be a civil servant of not less than grade level 14 and who must also reside within the jurisdiction of the court.
The case has been adjourned to June 14, July 16, October 15, November 7 and December 6, 2018 respectively for hearing.
