Alleged Fraud: Ex-GT Bank Manager Re-Arraigned Over N179.4m

The Police have re-arraigned a former manager with GTB, Fidelis Egueke, at the Federal High Court in Lagos, over an alleged N179,498,000 fraud.

Egueke was brought before Justice Tijjani Ringim on a 16-count amended charge filed against him by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (ForceCID) Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos.

Prosecution counsel Morufu Animashaun informed the court that the amended charge was sequel to fresh allegations discovered after the previous two charges were filed against the defendant.

Animashaun prayed the court to strike out the existing charge, and order Egueke to take his plea on the fresh 16-count charge.

Justice Ringim ordered that the amended charge be read to the defendant, for his plea to be taken.

Egueke pleaded not guilty.

His counsel, Ugochukwu Egwu, prayed the court to allow the defendant continue on the bail terms earlier granted him by the court.

Animashaun informed the court that he was ready for trial adding that one of the witnesses was in court.

Justice Ringim granted the defence’s application and adjourned till November 30, for trial.

Fidelis, who worked at the bank’s Asaba, Delta State branch, resigned his appointment following the allegation.

He was first arraigned sometime in November, 2020, on two amended charges of alleged conspiracy, fraud, unlawful conversion, obtaining by false pretence, and unauthorised withdrawal.

The police alleged that Egueke conspired with others now at large and without any authorisation, frauduylenty removed the N174,498,000 from a company account, domiciled at Guarantee Trust Bank Plc.

It was further alleged that the defendant committed the offences between May 14, 2010 and December 31, 2019.

The offences, according to prosecution counsel, Morufu Animashaun, contravened sections 8(a), 1(1)(c) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

It was also said to contravene Section 383 (1) of the Criminal Code Act Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 390 (1) of the same Criminal Code Act Laws of Federation 2004.