Nigeria: Four Bankers in Court Over Fraud

Calabar — Four staff of a first generation bank have been taken to court for illegal withdrawal from a customer's account.

They are accused of stealing and illegally transacting business on an account belonging to one Chibuike Nwogu.

The bankers, who were arraigned at the Magistrate's Court in Calabar on a three count charge of conspiracy and stealing, include Ikpeme Emmanuel Moses,29, Aniekan Etim 31, Jonny Ekaete Udofia ,28, and Lydia Attah, 38.

The police prosecutor, Edum Daniel, who brought the charges before Magistrate Emmanuel Ekokim of Magistrate Court Two, Moore Road under charge number MC/465/2011, said the accused are alleged to have on April 14, 2011, unlawfully conspired to commit felony by stealing thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap C16 vol 111.

Ikpeme Emmanuel Moses on the second count charge was singled out for allegedly stealing N50,000 from Chibuike Nwogu's current account, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 390 (9) as enshrined in the Laws of Cross River State.

Aniekan Edet was also said to have stolen N20,000 from the said bank account.

The four are being accused of lodging a cheque belonging to Chibuike Nwogu and stealing his money, an offence punishable under Section 467 of the Criminal Code.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges. Magistrate Ekokim granted them bail and adjourned the case to July 6, 2011.