By Obinna Uballa
The Enugu State High Court has struck out a suit filed by Oliver Anidiobi, a former Sterling Bank branch manager convicted for stealing N219 million from Ohha Microfinance Bank Limited, after his counsel applied to withdraw the case.
Anidiobi, who was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment in 2021 for forgery and theft, had approached the court seeking to recover properties acquired with the stolen funds. The same properties had earlier been ordered by the court to be attached and sold to compensate Ohha Microfinance Bank, the victim of the fraud.
The suit, No. E/911M/2025, listed the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ohha Microfinance Bank Ltd., Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Enugu State, Chairman, Prerogative of Mercy, Ministry of Justice, and Chief Registrar, High Court of Enugu State as the 1st to 6th respondents.
Anidiobi was, as then Branch Manager of Sterling Bank Plc, found to have diverted N219 million deposited for a fixed deposit account by Ohha Microfinance Bank under his direct supervision. Following his refusal to refund the funds, the microfinance bank petitioned the EFCC, which investigated and arraigned him on May 7, 2019, before Justice Cyprian Ajah of the Enugu State High Court in Charge No. E/162C/2019 – Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Oliver Chuwuka Anidiobi.
After a full trial, the court, on November 2, 2021, convicted and sentenced Anidiobi to eight years in prison. Justice Ajah further ordered that three properties acquired with the proceeds of the crime be confiscated and sold, with the proceeds paid to Ohha Microfinance Bank.
Anidiobi’s subsequent appeal to the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, was dismissed on September 13, 2023, with the appellate court unanimously affirming his conviction and sentence.
However, in December 2024, Governor Peter Mbah granted Anidiobi state pardon under the Power of Prerogative of Mercy after he had served three years in prison.
Following his release, the pardoned ex-banker returned to court, seeking to recover some of the forfeited properties. But at the resumed hearing on Monday, his counsel, C.F. Oziri (Miss), moved an application to withdraw the suit.
Counsel for the respondents – Olu Omotayo Esq. for Ohha Microfinance Bank, Michael Ani for the EFCC, and D.C. Odugu for the Enugu State Attorney General – did not oppose the withdrawal.
Ruling on the matter, Justice Cyprian Ajah noted the absence of objection from the respondents and ordered: “In view of the application for withdrawal and the lack of opposition, the suit is hereby struck out accordingly.”
