Edo court arraigns man for alleged N48m fraud

A 32-year-old man, Abiodun Doyin, has been arraigned before an Egor Magistrate’s Court in Edo State for allegedly stealing the sum of N48million from a commercial bank in Benin, the state capital.

The police prosecutor ‎told the court that the accused, who was arraigned on seven counts bothering on forgery, committed the offence “on or about” the month of April, 2013, at the Uselu branch of Eco Bank Nigeria Plc.

He explained that Doyin, in company with others already charged to court,‎ forged a company identity card belonging to the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company bearing the name “Oboite Jonathan Alele, which was used to defraud and facilitate a credit loan of N32million and N7 million from the bank.”

The accused and the other persons standing trial were also said to have forged the letterhead of the Edo Sports Council, Benin, with the intent to defraud and facilitate the credit loan from the bank.

They were also said to have stolen the sum of seven million Naira‎ and nine million Naira respectively, being the property of the bank.

The prosecutor said the offences were punishable under Sections 467 and 390 (5) (6)‎ of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Vol II, Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 1976, as applicable in Edo State.

Part of the charges read, “That you Abiodun Doyin (m) and others already charged to Egor Magistrate Court ‎Two, on or about the month of April, 2013, at Eco Bank Nigeria Plc, Uselu Branch, Benin City, in the Egor Magisterial district, with intent to defraud and facilitate a credit loan of N32 million, did forge the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company ID card bearing Oboite Jonathan Alele and, thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 467 of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Vol II, Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 1976, as applicable in Edo State.

“That you, Abiodun Doyin (m) and others already charged to Egor Magistrate Court ‎Two, on or about the month of April, 2013, at Eco Bank Nigeria Plc, Uselu Branch, Benin City, in the Egor Magisterial district, did‎ steal the sum of N32 million property of Eco Bank Nigeria Plc and, thereby, committed an offence punishable under Section 390 (5) (6)‎ of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Vol II, Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 1976, as applicable in Edo State.‎”

The accused pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

However, the presiding magistrate, Mr. William Aziegbemhin, granted him bail in the sum of three million Naira and a surety in like sum, who must be an employee in a recognised organisation.

He also adjourned the case to October 5, 2015, for further hearing.

Edo court arraigns man for alleged N48m fraud