By Dipo Olowookere
An employee of Sterling Bank Plc, Mr Emmanuel Odoemena, has been accused of stealing N4.47 million belonging to customers of the financial institution.
The suspect, a 34-year residence of Lagos State, was arraigned yesterday at the Ogudu Magistrates’ Court in the metropolis.
According to the police prosecutor, Mr Lucky Ihiehie, the accused person allegedly carried out the theft between January 2018 and February 2019 at the Ketu, Lagos branch of Sterling Bank Plc.
He explained that, “The defendant stole the amount using fraudulent alters and falsified statements of account of the total cash collected from the banks’ customers.
“The defendant used his position as a transaction officer in the bank and unlawfully converted the money to his own property, hence the report.
“He was subsequently apprehended by the police for further investigation.”
According to him, the offences contravened Sections 287 (7) and 337 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
When the charges were read to him, the suspect pleaded not guilty. His counsel later applied for bail, which was granted in the sum of N500,000.
As part of the defendant’s bail conditions, Magistrate E. Kubeinje ruled that he must produce two sureties in like sum who must not be self-employed, while the case was adjourned until June 19 for mention.
Modupe Gbadeyanka 
Aduragbemi Omiyale