Justice M. Itsueli of the Edo State High Court has convicted and sentenced a 40- year-old banker and eight others to prison for fraud-related offenses.
40-year-old Andrew Nwadiashi, who was the Head, Non-Financial Transactions at Warri branch of First Bank in Delta State, disregarded banking policy and debited the sum of Nine million, Three Hundred and Fifty-Four thousand Naira (N9,354,000) from a customer’s account.
He was arrested sometime in 2020 following a petition by the bank. He also confessed to the offense.
The other convict are Osawa Marvellous, Etinosa Ogieva, Erharruyi Osaigbovo, Isaac Godstime Eghosa, Obasohan Kelvin, Evans Jessa Mike, Timothy Odion, and Festus Efe Iyengunmwena
They were arraigned on separate one-count charges bordering on stealing, retention of proceeds of illegal activities, and unlawful possession of fraudulent documents by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges. Therefore, the prosecution counsel, I. M Elodi, IK Agwai, K.Y. Bello, and Ibrahim Faisal asked the Court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Justice Itsueli convicted and sentenced Nwadiashi to two years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000. The defendant had fully paid the aggregate sum of N9,654,000.00, the principal sum, and interest, in restitution to the victim of the crime.
The Court convicted and sentenced Marvellous, Odion, Ogieva, and Iyengunmwena to three years imprisonment with an option of Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N300,000) as acceptable.
The duo of Osaigbovo and Mike were each sentenced to three years imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira fine (N200,000), while Eghosa and Kelvin were sentenced to one month imprisonment each and a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000).
Justice Itsueli ordered that a Toyota Lexus ES 330, Lexus E350, phone, laptops, and the balance in the convicts’ bank accounts be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The charge against Nwadiashi reads: “that you, Andrew Nwadiashi sometimes between 2019 and 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did take possession of the aggregate sum of N 9, 354,000 ( Nine Million, Three Hundred and Fifty -four Thousand Naira) transferred into Bank account number: 2033930949 domiciled in First bank PLC which funds you knew were derived from your unlawful acts to wit: stealing and thereby committed an offense contrary to section 18(1) (a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act and punishable under section 18(2) of same Act”.
The charge against Kelvin reads: “that you, Obasohan Kelvin sometime in April 2023 in Benin City Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did take possession of the sum of N2, 298,000( Two Million, Two Hundred and Ninety- eight Thousand Naira ) transferred into your bank account number: 0652694791 domiciled in Guarantee Trust Bank PLC which funds you knew were derived from unlawful acts to wit: internet fraud and thereby committed an offense contrary to section 18(1)(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( Establishment ) Act and punishable under section 18(2) of the same Act”.
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