EFCC arraigns ex-banker, others for N12million fraud

Press statement from EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, September 22, 2015 arraigned three former bankers - Rita Emmanuel, Orjiri Martins and Monday Chibueze Ben, before Justice G. C. Aguma of the State High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing to the tune of N12,150,000.

Emmanuel, a customer service manager and teller of a new generation bank, allegedly converted the sum of N6,075,000 belonging to some bank customers to personal use. The fraud was allegedly concealed by Martins and Ben. The trio, who were present in court, are alleged to have deliberately conspired to defraud the bank.

One of the charges read: “That you Rita Emmanuel, Orjiri Martins and Monday Chibueze Ben on or about the 3rd day of October, 2014 at the First City and Monument Bank Limited, Ikwere Road branch, Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire with each other to commit felony to wit: stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to, and punishable under Section 516A of the Criminal Code Law Cap C37 Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1990.”

Another charge reads: “That you Rita Emmanuel on or about the 3rd day of October, 2014 at the First City and Monument Bank Limited, Ikwere Road branch, Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being the customer service manager and teller of the Said bank, did steal the sum of N6,075,000 by fraudulently converting the said amount which is cash deposits from various customers of the bank and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 383 (1) (a) and punishable under section 390 (B) of the Criminal Code Law Cap C37 Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1990.”

They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In view of their plea, prosecuting counsel, U. R. Ewoh asked the court for a date to commence trial. Counsel for the 1st and 3rd accused persons, V. F. Ajoku, and Smart Ikenga for the 2nd accused person, however, prayed that the court should grant the accused bail.

Justice Aguma granted the accused bail in the sum of N3,000,000 and one surety each. The surety who must be resident in Rivers State must be a civil servant on Grade Level 14 or a Medical Doctor, their office, status, and address must be verified by the court and the passport of the accused persons should be deposited in the court.

The case was adjourned to November 4, 2015.
Media & Publicity 23rd September, 2015

Ex-Bankers Get 91 Years In Prison For N114.6millionFraud (Photos)

Press statement from EFCC below...

Justice Ibrahim Mairiga of the Kebbi State High Court has convicted Suleiman Ibrahim Musa, Bilyaminu Usman and Lawal Suleiman on a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, theft and criminal breach of trust brought against them by the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and sentenced them to 91 years in prison.



The convicts, who are former members of staff of FinBank Plc (acquired by First City Monument Bank Plc in 2011), Birnin-Kebbi branch in Kebbi State, were first arraigned on July 21, 2010, and had pleaded not guilty to the charges. Musa, who was then the head of operations, defrauded the bank of N101, 707,000; Usman and Suleiman, both tellers connived to defraud the bank of N6, 627,500 and N6, 267,500 respectively. The crimes were committed between 2008 and 2010.

They had at different times debited the bank’s customers by carrying out unauthorized withdrawals. They were arrested by EFCC operatives following a petition by the bank’s management, after several customers lodged complaints alleging fraudulent deductions from their bank accounts.

They had backed up their claims with various documentary evidences - stamped deposits and investment certificates. After five years of trial, Justice Mairiga, having been convinced by the evidence brought before him by the prosecuting counsel, Aisha Habib, found them guilty of the charges. “By considering the amount involved and weight of evidence presented before the court by the prosecution, which was never challenged by the defence, it shows that their wrongful act caused a great injury to the bank,” the judge said. “I therefore, find the accused persons guilty as charged, and so convict and sentence them to 55 years, seven years and 29 years imprisonment respectively without an option of fine, with the jail term to serve concurrently”, the judge ruled.

The judge also ordered the convicts to return the stolen money to the bank.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity 6th August, 2015

EFCC arraigns Kano hospital clerks for N3.2m fraud

Find the EFCC press statement below..

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 arraigned one Umar Yusuf and Ibrahim Ahmed Bebeji, both former clerks of National Orthopedic Hospital, Dala, Kano State before Justice Dije Aboki of the State High Court, Kano on a 3-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and theft. Yusuf and Bebeji, between January and September, 2013 allegedly conspired and fraudulently altered information on official revenue receipts in their custody for services rendered to individuals.An audit report carried out by the Hospital Management revealed that, the sum of N3,331,167 (three million, three hundred and thirty one thousand, one hundred and sixty seven naira) was collected as revenue by the accused. But, the duo declared and paid the sum of N150,314 (one hundred and fifty thousand, three hundred and fourteen naira) to the hospital coffers while pocketing the sum of N3,180,853 (three million, one hundred and eighty thousand, eight hundred and fifty three naira).

One of the charges reads: “That you, Umar Yusuf And Ibrahim Ahmad Bebeji between January to September, 2013 in Kano within the judicial division of the High Court of Justice, Kano State, while being clerks of the National Orthopedic Hospital, Dala, Kano, committed theft of the sum of N3,180,853.00 (three million, one hundred and eighty thousand, eight hundred and fifty three naira only) which was received as part of the revenue accruable to the Hospital and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 286 and punishable under Section 289 of Penal Code.”

The accused persons pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them. Counsel to the EFCC, Musa Isa, asked the court for a date for hearing sequel to the plea of the accused persons. However, the defence counsel urged the court to admit the accused persons to bail. Justice Aboki granted the accused bail with two sureties of not below Grade Level 12. The sureties must sign a bond of one million naira each. The accused are to be remanded in prison custody until their bail conditions are met. The case has been adjourned to October 8, 2015 for commencement of trial.

Wilson Uwujaren


Head, Media & Publicity 31st July, 2015