By Abiola Olawale
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday re-arraigned a former Managing Director of the now defunct Platinum Habib Bank(PHB Plc), Francis Atuche, on a nine-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy to commit felony and forgery.
The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the EFCC re-arraigned Atuche before Justice O. O. Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State.
It would be recalled that EFCC had initially arraigned Atuche, alongside Nnosiri Joachim, a.k.a Ifeanyi, and Uguru Onyike, before Justice Habeeb Abiru.
However, Justice Abiru has now been promoted to a judge in the Court of Appeal.Following the development, the case was assigned to Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of the Lagos High Court.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Mr Francis Atuche, Nnosiri Joachim (a.k.a Ifeanyi) and Uguru Onyike, on or about 4th day of March 2013, in Lagos, with the Ikeja Judicial Division, with intent to defraud conspired to commit felony to wit: forgery of a document titled: “BOARD RESOLUTION” of Future View Securities Limited dated 17th December 2007.”
Another count reads: “ Nnosiri Joachim (a.k.a Ifeanyi), on or about the 4th day of March 2013 in Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division, with intent to defraud, knowingly and fraudulently used a false document titled “Board Resolution of Trajek Nigeria Limited” dated 15th December 2007, which you purported to have been duly signed by one Elizabeth Ebi (a Director of Trajek Nigeria Limited) to Keystone Bank Limited as genuine.”
After the arraignment, the defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to them.
Given this, the prosecution counsel, Fanen Anum, told the court that the matter was starting de novo and also prayed to the court for a trial date.
Counsel to the first defendant, Anthony Ejere, however, prayed the court to allow his client, who has been convicted over another matter, to continue to enjoin the earlier bail granted him by the court.
Also, counsel to the second and third defendants, Clement Onwuenwunor, SAN, prayed the court to allow his clients to continue to enjoy the earlier bail granted them by Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo.
In a short ruling, Justice Fadipe upheld the prayers of the defence counsel that the defendants be allowed to continue on the bail granted them by Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo.
The Judge adjourned the case till May 6, 7, 8, 13, 20 and 27, 2025 for commencement of trial.
The New Diplomat reports that Atuche’s troubles with the EFCC began after he was alleged to have contacted Nnosiri, an Office Assistant at Keystone Bank, to deliver alleged forged documents to the bank’s headquarters for use in an ongoing court case against the Commission.
These alleged forged documents, missing since October 2009, are the Board’s resolutions from Future View Securities Limited, Extra Oil Limited, and Trajek Nigeria Limited.
