google.com, pub-3998556743903564, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 Two Bankers Granted N20m Bail Over Alleged N35m Fraud

Two Bankers Granted N20m Bail Over Alleged N35m Fraud

 

Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday granted bail of N20 million to two Keystone Bank employees, Ebele Okpala and Perpetua Onyeto, who are accused of obtaining N35 million fraudulently.

The bail decision followed an argument made by their defense counsel regarding their bail application.

Okpala and Onyeto were arraigned on August 30, 2024, by the Police Special Fraud Unit in Lagos on charges related to conspiracy, theft, money laundering, and obtaining money under false pretenses. According to Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Eliot Ejie, who is the prosecution counsel, the alleged crimes took place in July 2023. The prosecution claims that Okpala, with Onyeto's assistance, illegally lifted a restriction on a customer's account at a Keystone Bank branch in Anambra State and transferred the funds to Okpala's own account at the same bank.

The prosecution argued that the actions of the defendants violated several laws, including the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, the Criminal Code Act of 2004, and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022. Despite these allegations, Okpala and Onyeto pleaded not guilty to all charges.

During the bail hearing on Monday, the prosecution strongly opposed the defendants' release on bail, but Justice Dipeolu ultimately granted bail. The conditions set for bail include a bond of N10 million each, along with two sureties each. One surety must own property within the jurisdiction of the court, and the other must be a Grade Level 16 officer in either a Lagos or Federal Government agency.

The case has been adjourned to November 6, 2024, for trial.

 

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