EFCC Arraigns 3 Former Access Bank Staff For Stealing N16m

On Tuesday, March 12, 2024, the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought charges against three former staff members of Access Bank and one other individual. They stand accused of embezzling the sum of N15,944,100 from the bank.

The suspects, Ogbu Kingsley Ibekwem, Nwagbara Chidimma, Uwaezuoke Raymond and Chidubem Angela Mgbeke were said to have pilfered the said amount before it was evacuated to the bullion unit of the bank for subsequent movement to the Central Bank.

In a statement by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale on Tuesday, the suspects were handed over to the anti-graft agency by the Nottidge branch of the bank in Onitsha, Anambra State.

The suspects who appeared before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court in Enugu State were arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Ogbu Kingsley Ibekwe and Chidubem Angela Mgbekesometimes in January 2023 in Onitsha, Anambra State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit, retaining the sum of N7, 996, 800. 00 ( seven million, nine hundred and ninety-six thousand, eight hundred naira) meant for evacuation to the Central Bank of Nigeria and property of Access Bank Plc Nottidge Branch, Onitsha which you knew or ought to have known to be proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 20 (b).”

They pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read to them. Because of their pleas, counsel to the EFCC, Ahmad Yusuf Abdullahi, asked the court for a trial date and for the defendants to be remanded at Enugu State correctional facility.

Justice Umar thereafter adjourned the matter until May 22, 2024 for trial. The defendants were remanded at the EFCC custody pending the hearing of their bail application.