EFCC Arraigns 3 Former Access Bank Staff For N16M Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently arraigned three former bankers from Access Bank and another individual before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court in Enugu State. The accused individuals are:
 

Ogbu Kingsley Ibekwem
Nwagbara Chidimma
Uwaezuoke Raymond
Chidubem Angela Mgbeke

They face a four-count charge related to conspiracy and stealing, involving a total sum of N15,944,100.00 (Fifteen Million, Nine Hundred and Forty-four Thousand, One Hundred Naira) .

The charges stem from their actions while working at the Nottidge branch of Access Bank in Onitsha, Anambra State.
One of the counts reads as follows:

“That you, Ogbu Kingsley Ibekwe and Chidubem Angela Mgbeke, sometime in January 2023 in Onitsha, Anambra State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony, namely retaining the sum of N7,996,800.00 (Seven Million, Nine Hundred and Ninety-six Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira). This amount was meant for evacuation to the Central Bank of Nigeria and was the property of Access Bank Plc Nottidge Branch, Onitsha. You knew or ought to have known that this money was proceeds of an unlawful act, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 21 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 20 (b)” .

The accused individuals pleaded not guilty to the charges. The EFCC requested a trial date and for the defendants to be remanded at the Enugu State Correctional Facility. The defense counsel informed the court of a bail application already submitted. Justice Umar adjourned the matter to May 22, 2024, when the trial will commence. Until then, the defendants remain in EFCC custody .

These former bankers were handed over to the EFCC by Access Bank plc on February 22, 2023, after allegedly pilfering the mentioned amount before it was evacuated to the bullion unit of the bank for subsequent movement to the Central Bank of Nigeria.

from Vanguard