The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former staff of First Bank, Philip Orumade for allegedly N18,903,000 from an ATM machine at Aduwawa branch of First Bank, in Edo State.
The former banker who charged before Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court, Benin is battling with nine counts of stealing, says EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren.
The journey for Orumade’s arraignment began in November 2019, when he was responsible for Automated Teller Machine (ATM) deposits.
Allegations Against Me ‘Trumped Up’, Magu Speaks After Regaining Freedom
EFCC- We’re Tracing Victims Of Hushpuppi’s $35m Scam
‘No Sacred Cows’: President Buhari Speaks On Magu’s Probe, Suspension
While undertaking that task, he allegedly stole N18,903,000 from the machine at Aduwawa branch of First Bank in Edo State.
According to the EFCC, the offence is contrary to Section 383 of Bendel State Criminal Code Law (as applicable to Edo State) and punishable under Section 390(7).
Orumade however pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read to him. But Ibrahim Mohammed, the prosecution counsel urged the court to fix a date for commencement of trial.
Meanwhile, Martha Imafu, the defence counsel in the matter also informed the trail judge of a pending motion for bail.
In his ruling, Justice Ikponwonba granted the Orumade bail in the sum of N500,000 with one surety in like sum.
Justice Ikponwonba ruled that the surety must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court while adjourning the matter until January 27, 2021.
Meanwhile, this development is coming about two months after one Oreoluwa Adesakin, also a former staff of First Bank, was handed 98 years jail term by Justice Muniru Olagunju of the Oyo State High Court in September.
Adesakin who was found guilty of allegedly committing fraud against her employers to the tune of N49,320,652, and additional $368,203 following the ex-banker’s prosecution by the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 14-count charges, bordering on stealing, forgery and fraudulent accounting.
One of the charges had read: “That you Oreoluwa Adesakin, sometime between the months of May 2013 and November 2013, at Ibadan within the Ibadan Judicial Division, whilst being a staff of First Bank Plc stole the sum of N25,974,116 from First Bank Plc MoneyGram Payment Naira Account.”
Adesakin had however not pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Prosecution counsel, Usman Murtala, presented vital documents and witnesses which nailed the convict.
Accordingly, Justice Olagunju pronounced Adesakin guilty of all the charges. The judge subsequently sentenced her to seven years in prison without an option of fine on each of the 14 counts, which will run concurrently.
EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the conviction and said operatives established that the convict used part of the proceeds to acquire landed properties in different parts of Oyo State for purposes different from the aim set out.
Biden Beats Trump In Georgia, Attains famed 306 Electoral College Votes
Billionaire, Elon Musk Tests Positive For Covid-19
Breaking! Imo Assemby Impeaches Speaker; APC Crisis Deepens In State
