By Dipo Olowookere
A former manager of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Ltd, Onitsha Branch, Anambra State, Mr Nwachukwu Placidus, has been arraigned by the Enugu Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The suspect was brought before Justice Ike Agu of the Anambra State High Court yesterday on a 12–count charge of stealing, conversion and obtaining N129 million by false pretence.
He was docked alongside three other suspects; Ohaegbunam Chinyere, Egbosi Chiemenam and Nkeiru Okeke, who all worked with Idemili Micro Finance Bank Ltd in Nnewi, Onitsha.
A statement issued by the EFCC disclosed that the first defendant, Mr Placidus, allegedly diverted funds received from Idemilli Micro Finance Bank meant to be placed as a fixed deposit to his personal accounts, while claiming they were severally rolled over and presented forged fixed deposit certificates to cover his tracks.
The co-defendants are alleged accomplices to the crime.
However, all the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges after they were read to them.
The trial judge admitted the defendants to bail on different conditions with the first defendant asked to produce two sureties and N2 million in like sum with the sureties residing within the jurisdiction of the court.
He further directed that they must have landed properties and must deposit two copies of their recent passport photographs alongside that of the defendant.
The second, third and fourth defendants were respectively granted bail in the sum of N1 million and one surety each who must be a civil servant of not less than grade level 14 and who must also reside within the jurisdiction of the court.
Meanwhile, the case has been adjourned to June 14, July 16, October 15, November 7 and December 6, 2018 respectively for hearing.
