6 Unity Bank Staffs Facing Charges Over Alleged N306 million Fraud

Six employees of Unity Bank, were on Wednesday charged before a Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, over alleged N306 million fraud.  They are facing charges of criminal conspiracy, forgery, theft and negligent conduct.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that of the 26 involved in the crime, only six were arraigned on Wednesday.
They are: Chinoso Akamerre of Fegge Onitsha branch; Esther Olubade,  Mayowa Oyinloye, Sanusi Olarenwaju, Abubakar Barau and Biodun Daodu, all of Gwagwalada branch.

The prosecutor, Cpl. Francis Tanko told the court that on Jan. 29, 2014, the bank’s Managing Director, Henry James, reported the case to the Inspector-General of Police.  He said that between Jan. 24 and 27, 2014, the accused persons conspired with the Fund Transfer Control Unit officers to commit the offences.

Tanko named the officers as Rabi Ibrahim, Esther Olubade and IT operators of the bank- Mayowa Oyinloye, Sanusi Olarenwaju, Abubakar Barau and Biodun Daodu.  The prosecutor said the officers connived to forge some documents.  He alleged that they stole the money through electronic transfer from three accounts.

Tanko told the court that the accounts of the Pilgrims Welfare Board, University of Abuja and Greenfields Ltd were used.  The prosecutor said the money was transferred to 18 different accounts of the accused, domiciled at eight different banks without the consent of the account holders.

The offences, he said, contravened Sections 95, 196, 287 and 364 of the Penal Code. The accused persons pleaded not guilty.  The Chief Magistrate, Adamu Shaibu, granted them bail in the sum of N5 million each, and one surety each in like sum. Shaibu said the sureties, who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, should be civil servants not below Grade Level 9.
The case was adjourned till May 18 for hearing.