Ecobank

By Paul Iyoghojie

Akhanenu Ikechukwu, 41, the operational manager of Ecobank of Nigeria, Ejigbo branch, has been nabbed by the Ikoyi Division, Lagos of the Nigerian Police. Reason: He allegedly withdrew N14 million from the account of two customers of the bank without their authorisation.

Worse still, the police also accused him of sharing the money with his partner in crime, Nduka Stephen,36. The suspects were arrested following a complaint by the management of Ecobank.

After investigation by Sergeant Ijatuyi Tope and his team, the suspects were arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos on Monday on a four-count charge of felony to wit fraud, forgery and stealing.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Igonbo Emby informed the court in charge No F/34/20/2016 that the accused persons committed the alleged offence between September and November 2015 during working hours.

Emby told the Court that the first accused used his position as the operational Manager of EcoBank, Ejigbo branch to fraudulently withdrew N10m from Account No. 2741128259 belonging to a customer of the bank, Rabiu Oladimeji Lawal, and N4m from another account with forged documents and transferred the money into his accomplice’s account from where they allegedly withdrew the money and shared it.

He said nemesis caught up with the first accused when the management of Ecobank audited their account book and discovered the fraud.

Emby said the offences are punishable under sections 409, 361(B), 285(7) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the allegations and Magistrate P.A. Adekomaiya admitted them to bail in the sum of N3m each with two sureties each in like sum.

Adekomaiya adjourned the case till 11 July, 2016 for mention, while the defendants were taken to Ikoyi Prison, Lagos pending when they will fulfill their bail conditions.