Ex Zenith Bank manager re-arraigned over alleged N179.4m fraud

A former bank manager, Fidelis Egueke, has been re-arraigned before the Federal High Court, Lagos for alleged involvement in N179, 498 million defraud.

A former bank manager, Fidelis Egueke, has been re-arraigned before the Federal High Court, Lagos for alleged involvement in N179, 498 million defraud.

He was re-arraigned on a 16-count amended charge filed by the men of Force Criminal Investigation Department (ForceCID) Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos before Justice Tijjani Ringim.

Fidelis, an ex branch manager of Zenith Bank in Asaba, Delta State, resigned his appointment with the bank after being queried on the alleged fraud and demarketing his bank.

He was first arraigned before the court, sometimes in November 2020, on previous two amended charges of three and later 14 counts of conspiracy, fraud, unlawful conversion, obtaining by false pretence and unauthorised withdrawal.

The police alleged that the former bank manager, conspired with others now at large and without any authorisation, fraudulently removed the total sum of N174. 498 million from a company account, domiciled in Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTB).

The police alleged that the defendant committed the offences between May 14, 2010 and December 31, 2019. The offences, according to the prosecutor, Mr. 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.

The prosecutor also said he contravened 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.

Animashaun told the court that the amended charge was sequel to new frauds discovered after the previous two charges were filed.

He, therefore, urged the court to strike out the former charge for the former suspect to take his plea on the 16 counts amended charge.

Upon the prosecutor’s submission, the court ordered that the amended charge be read to the suspect for his plea to be taken, and the suspect pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

Following his plea, his counsel, Ugochukwu Egwu, urged the court to allow him to continue with the bail terms earlier granted by the court.

The prosecutor, however, informed the court that he was ready for trial, adding that one of his witnesses was in court.

Justice Ringim, after taken the defendant’s plea and listening to both counsel, however, adjourned trial to November 30, 2022.