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Tag: arraigns

  • EFCC arraigns Oronsaye Monday over 1.9bn pension scam

    EFCC arraigns Oronsaye Monday over 1.9bn pension scam

    The  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday  filed charges against a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Steve Oronsaye, and three others before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    The four persons are likely to be arraigned on Monday in respect of the alleged N1.9billion biometric pension’s enrolment scam.

    But in preparation for the trial, Oronsaye was at the EFCC headquarters yesterday for what  source described as “the final leg of grilling.”

    Oronsaye was detained on Wednesday by the anti-graft agency in connection with the alleged scam.

    After the first round of interaction with the EFCC team, he was granted bail on Thursday before he was slammed with a fresh invitation .

    A  top official of the commission said charges had been filed against Oronsaye  and three other suspects at a Federal  High Court, Abuja.

    The source said : “We filed charges against Oronsaye and three others yesterday at a Federal High Court in order to pave the way for their arraignment.

    “The allegations against these people will be known to the public at the court. They will also have the opportunity to file counter-claims.

    “I think they might be on trial on Monday, depending on the disposition of the court.”

    The EFCC said Oronsaye  was also  interrogated on fresh allegations of monumental fraud and embezzlement of funds in the running of a Presidential Standing Committee on Financial Action Task Force which he chairs.

    “The committee is a policy advisory body to the president on the implementation of the AML/CFT .

    “Oronsaye allegedly used it as a conduit to siphon and launder money.

    “This fresh lead is triggered by allegations by some members of the committee who claim that Oronsaye operates an illegal account in a first generation bank in the committee’s name, without the knowledge of the committee members through which he has laundered hundreds of millions of Naira,”the source said.

    When contacted, the  Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said Oronsaye was “at the commission’s office yesterday.”

    But Oronsaye had always pleaded his innocence.

    In a previous interview with The Nation, the former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation  denied any relationship with a former Deputy Director of Pension in the Pension Unit of the OHCSF, Mrs. Phina Chidi, who is on trial.

    He said: “Mrs. Chidi alleged that she had been keeping N500million and $2 million traced to the accounts of Pam Investment Properties Limited in trust for me in the last  three years.

    “This is someone I do not have her number, not to talk of having anything to do with her. Why will someone keep  $2million for me for three years and I did not call her once  about the money.

    “I asked the EFCC to screen my call logs and that of Chidi  in the last three years whether I had spoken with her or not.

    “I have no companies that I am using as cronies to siphon pension funds. As the Head of Service of the Federation, I was not the Accounting Officer. A Permanent Secretary, who  was the Accounting Officer, was in charge of all contracts.

    “In fact, during my valediction, the Permanent Secretary stood up to declare that as the Head of Service, I did not  interfere with the award of contracts. Everybody was  shocked.

    “The only contract that came through my office was the  initial biometrics project of N35million which was handled  by Innovative Solutions. Even though the contract was within  my spending limit as the Head of Service, I notified the  Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

    “And the contract was not inflated. When they had cause to extend the scope of work by some weeks, we only paid them  extra working allowances.”

    Asked if he nominated one Osarenkhoe Afe, an IT consultant  and nominee of Oronsaye, as member of a “pension reform  committee,” Oronsaye denied.

     

  • EFCC arraigns Oronsaye Monday over 1.9bn pension scam

    EFCC arraigns Oronsaye Monday over 1.9bn pension scam

    The  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday  filed charges against a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Steve Oronsaye, and three others before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    The four persons are likely to be arraigned on Monday in respect of the alleged N1.9billion biometric pension’s enrolment scam.

    But in preparation for the trial, Oronsaye was at the EFCC headquarters yesterday for what  source described as “the final leg of grilling.”

    Oronsaye was detained on Wednesday by the anti-graft agency in connection with the alleged scam.

    After the first round of interaction with the EFCC team, he was granted bail on Thursday before he was slammed with a fresh invitation .

    A  top official of the commission said charges had been filed against Oronsaye  and three other suspects at a Federal  High Court, Abuja.

    The source said : “We filed charges against Oronsaye and three others yesterday at a Federal High Court in order to pave the way for their arraignment.

    “The allegations against these people will be known to the public at the court. They will also have the opportunity to file counter-claims.

    “I think they might be on trial on Monday, depending on the disposition of the court.”

    The EFCC said Oronsaye  was also  interrogated on fresh allegations of monumental fraud and embezzlement of funds in the running of a Presidential Standing Committee on Financial Action Task Force which he chairs.

    “The committee is a policy advisory body to the president on the implementation of the AML/CFT .

    “Oronsaye allegedly used it as a conduit to siphon and launder money.

    “This fresh lead is triggered by allegations by some members of the committee who claim that Oronsaye operates an illegal account in a first generation bank in the committee’s name, without the knowledge of the committee members through which he has laundered hundreds of millions of Naira,”the source said.

    When contacted, the  Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said Oronsaye was “at the commission’s office yesterday.”

    But Oronsaye had always pleaded his innocence.

    In a previous interview with The Nation, the former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation  denied any relationship with a former Deputy Director of Pension in the Pension Unit of the OHCSF, Mrs. Phina Chidi, who is on trial.

    He said: “Mrs. Chidi alleged that she had been keeping N500million and $2 million traced to the accounts of Pam Investment Properties Limited in trust for me in the last  three years.

    “This is someone I do not have her number, not to talk of having anything to do with her. Why will someone keep  $2million for me for three years and I did not call her once  about the money.

    “I asked the EFCC to screen my call logs and that of Chidi  in the last three years whether I had spoken with her or not.

    “I have no companies that I am using as cronies to siphon pension funds. As the Head of Service of the Federation, I was not the Accounting Officer. A Permanent Secretary, who  was the Accounting Officer, was in charge of all contracts.

    “In fact, during my valediction, the Permanent Secretary stood up to declare that as the Head of Service, I did not  interfere with the award of contracts. Everybody was  shocked.

    “The only contract that came through my office was the  initial biometrics project of N35million which was handled  by Innovative Solutions. Even though the contract was within  my spending limit as the Head of Service, I notified the  Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

    “And the contract was not inflated. When they had cause to extend the scope of work by some weeks, we only paid them  extra working allowances.”

    Asked if he nominated one Osarenkhoe Afe, an IT consultant  and nominee of Oronsaye, as member of a “pension reform  committee,” Oronsaye denied.

     

  • Police arraigns applicant for threatening friend over plate of rice

    A 20-year-old applicant, Abayomi Ogunbayo, on Friday appeared before a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for alleged threat to kill his friend over a plate of rice.

    Ogunbayo, whose address was unknown, was arraigned on a one-count charge of threat to life.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Innocent Uko, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Jan. 30 at 8 p.m. at Pota Area of Badagry.

    Uko said that the accused and the victim, Shehu Ismaila, who were friends were had argument over a pot of rice when the accused threatened to stab him with knife.

    “Both of them were eating together from the same pot when the accused started arguing with the victim because he was taking more share of the food.

    “In the middle of the argument, he went to the kitchen, brought a knife and threatened to kill his friend,’’ he said.

    He noted that the offence contravened Section 56 (1) (A) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

    The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The Counsel to the accused, Mr Dapo Omotayo, applied for the bail of his client. .

    Omotayo promised that his client would always attend further court hearings.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr Abiodun Etti, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100, 000 and a surety in like sum.

    Etti said that the surety must provide evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    He adjourned the case till March 2 for further hearing.

  • EFCC arraigns man for presenting dud cheque

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned a Kano businessman, Mohammed Yusuf, before a Kano State High Court for presenting a N20 million dud cheque.

    The accused, identified as the managing director/chief executive officer of Yusmed Oil and Gas, allegedly converted N47.61 million of the N118 million given to him by the complainant, Bashir Aminu Sale of AMSALCO Industry, for the supply of automotive gas oil.

    EFCC’s lawyer told the court that the accused failed to supply the product.

    He said the accused, while trying to make up, issued two N10 milllion cheques to the complainant, which were returned unpaid for lack of sufficient funds.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Counsel to the prosecution, M.M Gambo asked the court to fix a date for hearing based on the plea of the accused.

    Justice Lawal adjourned the case till January 31 and ordered that the accused be remanded in EFCC custody.

     

  • UNIPORT Four: Court arraigns suspects

    A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt, the state capital, yesterday arraigned 12 persons, following their roles in the killing of the four undergraduate students of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), at Umuokiri Aluu in Ikwerre Local Government last October.

    Lawal Segun, Lucky Orji, Ikechukwu Louis Amadi (aka Kapoon), David Chinasa Ogbada, Abiodun Yusuf, Joshua Ekpe, Abang Cyril, Hassan Welewa, Okoghiroh Endurance, Ozioma Abajuo and Chigozie Evans Samuel have been in custody since last year in connection with the murder.

    The prosecution led by the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Rufus N. Godwins, at the sitting yesterday included John Ayuwu (aka Johny Barbar), bringing the number to 12.

    They pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of murder and negligence.

    Godwins told Justice Latan Nyordee that the accused committed the offence contrary to sections 319(1) and 515 of the Criminal Code Law of Rivers State (1999).

    The accused were represented by counsel. The third and eight accused, who did not have legal representation at the last sitting, were represented by a team from the Legal Aid Council, led by Jane Frances Bianeyi.

    After the plea, the prosecutor adopted the criminal indictments with proofs of evidence filed against the accused and expressed the readiness to call its first witness but it urged the court to remand the accused in custody.

    Counsel for the first accused Joshua Kehinde told the court that the crime for which the accused are charged are mere allegation, adding that in law they are innocent until proven otherwise.

    He told the court that he had filed bail application for his client and was ready to move the motion.

    However, Justice Nyordee adjourned the matter till August 15 for hearing on bail applications, when he discovered that some lawyers were yet to file theirs and some files were yet to be received by the prosecution.

    Seven are being charged for murder; others are charged with negligence.

    Those being tried for murder are Lawal Segun, Lucky Orji, Ikechukwu Louis Amadi (aka Kapoon), David Chinasa Ogbada, Abiodun Yusuf, Joshua Ekpe, Abang Cyril and John Ayuwu.

    Hassan Welewa, Okoghiroh Endurance, Ozioma Abajuo and Chigozie Evans Samuel are charged with negligence.

    Ugonna Obuzor (18), Toku Lloyd (20), Chiadika Biringa(20) and Tekena Elkanah(21) were lynched and set ablaze by an angry mob in Allu community near UNIPORT on October 5, last year, for alleged stealing.

    Eighteen persons, including their colleagues and a woman, were initially arrested in connection with their deaths. However, seven were exonerated and 11 indicted.

    Women from Okrika, the town of Elkannah and Toku, stormed the court yesterday to demand for justice.

    The over-100 women, dressed in black, marched under the umbrella body of Wakrike Ijaw Women of Nigeria.

    They stormed the second floor of the three-storey building of the court room at 8am and sat on the floor of the corridor till about 3pm when the court session ended.

    Their president, Mrs. Gift Amagi, said: “We are mothers and grandmothers. We feel the pains of those four youths who were killed.

    “We are also here to observe the proceedings of the trial and to ask the judiciary and government to ensure that justice prevails.”

    Also the chairman, Joint Campaign Committee of Nigeria Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), Lah Amabu, said: “The position of NANS remains that justice be done, to serve as a deterrent to others and NANS cannot compromise on this.”

  • Kano arms: Fed Govt arraigns three

    Kano arms: Fed Govt arraigns three

    The Federal Government yesterday arraigned three Lebanese, who are being held over alleged terrorism, on a six-count before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    The three – Mustapha Fawaz (49), Abdullahi Thahini (48) and Tahal Roda (51) – were arraigned with representatives of two of their companies – Amigo Supermarket Limited and Wonderland Amusement Park Resort, before Justice Adeniyi Ademola.

    The three men, in counts one and two, were charged with belonging to Hezbollah military wing and knowingly agreed to receive training in preparation to engage in acts of terrorism.

    In count three, Fawaz and Fuazi Fawaz (now at large), owners of Amigo Supermarket, Abuja, were said to have “knowingly permitted a meeting connected with an act of terrorism” to be held over the premises of the supermarket.

    In count four, Thahini, who is accused of “being the coordinator of Hezbollah in Nigeria,” was charged with involvement “in an arrangement to facilitate the acquisition of terrorist funds by removal out of jurisdiction, the sum of $61,000.”

    Fawaz, Thahini, Roda and Fauzi (now at large) were, in count five, accused of withholding information that would have assisted in the arrest of another terrorist suspect from law enforcement agencies.

    The three, their two companies and fleeing Fawaz were, in count six, accused of “directly rendering support to a terrorist group” by allegedly providing their premises in Abuja and Kano for terrorist activities.

    Their alleged offences are punishable under Sections 5(1), 7(c), 8(1), 12(a), 13(2) and 16(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2013.

    The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    Their lawyer, Ahmed Raji (SAN), told the court that he has filed two applications for his clients. They include a motion for bail, pending the trial and another challenging the competence of the charge.

    Lead prosecution lawyer, Simon Egede (the Acting Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation), prayed the court for time to enable the state respond to the applications served on him yesterday.

     

  • Alleged N46b fraud: EFCC arraigns perm sec, others

    Alleged N46b fraud: EFCC arraigns perm sec, others

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday re-arraigned a suspended Permanent Secretary, Atiku Abubakar Kigo, and six others, for allegedly stealing N46 billion from police pension funds.

    The seven suspects appeared before Justice Hussain Baba of an Abuja High Court on an amended 18 counts charge of criminal breach of trust and conspiracy involving N46 billion.

    One of the suspects, who was absent during the previous arraignment, Mrs. Uzoma Cyril Attang, had her plea taken yesterday.

    Supporters of one of the suspects manhandled some photographers who attempted to take her photograph after the proceedings.

    According to the EFCC, “Attang, who was absent in court when the others were first arraigned, was in charge of the police pension fund when N7.8 billion was stolen through 10,863 cheques.”

    “She was also discovered to have personally signed 1,042 cheques to the tune of N1, 141,309,080.25.

    “Investigation revealed that Mrs. Attang used several companies to defraud the Police Pension Office,” the commission said.

    Some of the companies, which she allegedly used, are: Royal Diadem Business Logistic Limited, Amazing Grace Property Development Company, Enyiuzo Ventures Limited, Status Symbols Rentals Limited, Status Travels and Tours Limited, Quillponte and Anifon Nigeria Limited.

    Other accused persons, besides Kigo and Attang, are Esai Dangabar, Ahmed Inuwa Wada, Mrs Veronica Ulonma Onyegbula, Sani Habila Zira and Christian Madubuike.

    The 18-count (amended) charge is punishable under sections 97 and 315 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory.

    The suspects had earlier been arraigned alongside convicted pension thief John Yusuf before Justice Mohammed Talba.

    However, as a result of that uproar that greeted the sentence meted out to Yusuf, the EFCC withdrew the trial of the remaining suspects from Justice Talba.

    Justice Talba sentenced Yusuf to two years imprisonment, but gave him the option of a N750,000 fine.

    The sentence infuriated many and drew uncomplimentary remarks both from within and outside the country against the judiciary.

    The development caused the trial of the alleged pension thieves to be re-assigned to Justice Hussain Baba.

    Count one of the amended charge alleged that the suspects conspired between January 2008 and June 2011, to do an illegal act, to wit: criminal breach of trust in respect of N20.155 billion, an offence punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria 2007.

    The accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

    The court fixed their trial for June 3 and 4, 2013.

    Justice Talba said the bail granted the accused persons by the former judge should continue to run since they had complied with the conditions.

    “In the same vein, the sixth accused (Attang) is granted bail on the same terms and conditions with other accused persons,” the judge said.

    The indication given by the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), not to oppose bail application, bearing in mind the fact that the case was transferred cleared the way for the accused person temporary freedom.

    Justice Baba adjourned to June 3 and 4 for trial.

    Outside the courtroom, a big drama was on. Relations of one of the suspects — Mrs Onyegbula—beat up some journalists trying to take her photograph after the proceedings.

    Those manhandled include Femi Ipaye (TheNews), Jide Oyekunle (Daily Independent) and Rotimi Ósasona of National Mirror.

    Osasona’s camera was damaged.

  • EFCC arraigns four for attempting to defraud Suswam

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned four suspects before Justice E.N. Kpojime of the Benue State High Court, Makurdi, for allegedly conspiring to obtain $3million (US) from Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam.

    The suspects are Mark Gbaa (alias Nasiru Nasamu), Ezekiel Ajik Azi, Bulus Ashom Agwom and Nuhu Bawa Atangs.

    The Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the suspects were put on trial on a six-count charge of impersonation, forgery and criminal conspiracy to obtain $3m (US) from Governor Suswam.

    The statement said: “The accused, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, were alleged to have conspired to falsely present themselves as officers of EFCC, who are investigating the accounts of Benue State local government and had sought for $3million to ‘kill’ the case.

    “In a bid to actualise the scheme, one of them, Bulus Ashom Agom, who was dismissed from the Nigeria Police in June 2012, was alleged to have forged a Nigeria Police warrant of arrest card No 35231, which he presented to the governor.

    “Thereafter, Governor Suswam alerted the Department of State Security (DSS), which arrested and handed them to the EFCC.

    “It was at the EFCC office that Bulus and Nuhu Bawa Attangs made statements that led to the arrest of others.

    “Count one of the charges reads: ‘That you Mark Gbaa, alias Nasiru Nasamu, Ezekiel Ajik Azi, Bulus Ashom Awom and Nuhu Bawa Atangs between January and February 2013, at Makurdi, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Benue State with intent to defraud, conspired to obtain the sum of three million United States Dollars ($3,000,000) from one Hon. Gabriel Suswam, the Executive Governor of Benue State, when you falsely presented yourselves as officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, who were investigating the Benue State Local Government Account and other pending cases, which representation you knew were false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act and other related offences Act no 14 of 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same act’.

  • EFCC arraigns bank manager for N245m scam

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned a former Oceanic Bank Plc’s branch manager, Usman Salifu, before Justice Dije Aboki of the Kano State High Court, Kano on a 12-count charge of theft and misappropriation of about N245 million.

    According to a statement by the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the manager of Oceanic Bank Plc (now EcoBank Plc) allegedly forged signatures and withdrew N245million from the fixed deposit account of a customer, Yusuf Saleh Dunari.

    Some of the charges read: “That you Usman Salifu on or about December 29, 2009 in Kano within the Judicial Division of the High Court of Justice Kano State while being an officer of Oceanic Bank Plc (now Eco Bank plc) committed theft by stealing the sum of N30 million from the Oceanic Bank fixed deposit account of Yusuf Saleh Dunari and that you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 289 of the Penal Code.

    “That you Usman Salifu on or about December 9, 2010 in Kano within the Judicial Division of the High Court of Justice Kano State with intent to defraud, forged a signature of Hadiza Abdullahi on Oceanic Bank Plc (now Eco Bank plc) fixed deposit investment certificate dated December 4, 2010 for the sum of N40m and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 362 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code.”

    The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The prosecuting counsel, Ibrahim Ahmed, requested for a date for trial.

    The EFCC also arraigned Emmanuel Akabueze before Justice Fatu Riman of the Federal High Court, Kano on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence.

    The commission said: “Akabueze, who is serving a jail term, having been convicted in another matter investigated by the EFCC, arrived at the court from prison to take his plea on the fresh charge.

    “The accused, who is also known as ‘Temple Obiora Nnaemeka’, alongside his accomplice, Tony Momoh (now at large) allegedly defrauded a certain Moses Gana of the sum of N410,000 over a phony business proposal to supply ‘Solar 15A’ equipment, to some foreign partners.”

    Akabueze pleaded not guilty to the charge. The prosecuting counsel, Salihu Sani, asked for a date for the hearing of the case.

    The case was been adjourned to March 25 for continuation of trial and the accused remanded in prison custody.

  • EFCC arraigns seven Internet fraudsters

    EFCC arraigns seven Internet fraudsters

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned seven internet fraud suspects before Justice P.I Ajoku of the Federal High Court 2, Benin.

    All the suspects have been remanded in prison custody pending the beginning of their trial.

    The suspects are Philip Agbodobri (alias Daniel Karlssom) Peter Sunday (alias Richmon), Nnamdi Obinna, Amegor Ovenseri, Eloghosa Ocikiabor (alias Kristopher Kole), Osagie Aghedo Bliss and Idehen Obabueki Bleek.

    The Head of Media and Publicity of the commission, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Philip Agbodobri (alias Daniel Karlssom), Peter Sunday (alias Richmon), Nnamdi Obinna, Amegor Ovenseri, Eloghosa Ocikiabor (alias Kristopher Kole), Osagie Aghedo Bliss, Idehen Obabueki Bleek, according to the EFCC “ on or about the month of October, 2012 (and 18th day of January, 2013), at Siluko Road, Benin City within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: obtaining money by false pretence contrary to Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the said Act. “

    Uwajaren said: “ “In view of their plea, prosecuting counsel sought the leave of the court for a short date for trial.

    “Justice Ajoku reserved ruling on their bail applications for February 27, 28, 29 and March 4; and adjourned to April 22, 25 and 29 for trials.

    “The court ordered that the suspects be remanded in prison custody.”

    The fraudsters are among the 20 suspected internet fraudsters arrested by men of the JTF, 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Benin and handed over to the EFCC, January 18th, 2013, for further investigation and possible prosecution.

    Twelve of them had earlier been arraigned before Justice A. M Liman on separate charges bordering on obtaining money by false pretence. They were subsequently granted bail.

    At the point of arrest, the suspected fraudsters, who had in their possession forty five (45) laptops of different make, twenty eight (28) telephone sets, eight (8) internet mobile modems and one Nissan car with registration number USL 375 AG at the point of arrest includes: Idehen Obabueki, Adesa Lucky, Usuagu Uche, Eloghosa Olikiabor, Larry Edomwonyi, Amowie Maike, Francis Ezegbede, Itua Samuel and Endurance John Egbeifo. Others are Amegor Ovenseri, Iyen Ighodaro, Philip Agbodori, Lucky Robinson, Nnadi Obinna, Osabuohien Osahon, Chinenu Eze, Peter Sunday, Solomon Ogu, Niyi Femi and Osagie Aghedo.

    Meanwhile, Justice Dije Abdu Aboki of the High Court of Kano State has convicted and sentenced two bankers, Funsho Olaleye and Ayoade Peter Abiola, to two years imprisonment with option of N410, 000 fine each.

    The first accused was ordered to pay a compensation of N700, 000, while the second accused has already restituted the victim in the course of investigation.

    The convicts, both former staff of Intercontinental Bank Plc (now Access Bank Plc) were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on a six-count charge of conspiracy and misappropriation of funds.