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.
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