Friday 6 May 2016

EFCC arraigns Ecobank manager for N8m fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Thursday took into custody one Irene Okeoha on the basis of one-count charge of stealing.

Irene who is the customer service manager, Ecobank Plc, Hotel Presidential branch, allegedly defrauded the bank of 8 million naira.

The charge reads: "That you, Mrs Irene Okeoha on or about 17th February, 2016 at Hotel Presidential, Port-Harcourt,within the Port-Harcourt Division of this Honorable court did fraudulently steal the sum of N8 million only, property of Ecobank Plc and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 390(9) of the criminal code CAP 37 vol.11 Laws of Rivers  State of Nigeria 1999."

When the charge was read to her, the accused pleaded not guilty and the prosecution counsel, Ben Ubi, urged the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial and to remand the defendant in prison custody.

However, defence counsel, B. Igeongei, prayed the court to grant his client bail as the accused was already on administrative bail by the EFCC.

Justice Amadi granted the defendant bail in the sum of N20 million and one surety in the like sum. The surety who must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court should possess a landed property to be verified by the prosecution. The surety  is also to depose to an affidavit of means.

The case has been adjourned to May 25,2016 for trial. The defendant is to be remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of her bail.

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