N2.7b fraud: Trial of Fidelity Bank staff who ‘altered’ Dangote Cement account details to commence May 30

The trial of Christopher Jackson Edeh is scheduled to begin on May 30, 2024, as announced by Justice O.O. Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos.

On February 28, 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought Edeh before Justice Abike-Fadipe to face nine counts of fraudulent false accounting, a violation of Section 337 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, and unauthorized access to a computer, as per Section 387 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

One of the accusations states that Christopher Jackson Edeh, during September 2023 in Lagos and within the jurisdiction of the court, while working at Fidelity Bank Plc, allegedly tampered with the account information of Dangote Cement Plc, held by Fidelity Bank, with the alleged intent to commit fraud.

Another charge reads: “Christopher Jackson Edeh, sometimes in September 2023 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to facilitate the stealing of the total sum of N2,737,784,800.00 (Two Billion, Seven Hundred and Thirty-seven Million, Seven Hundred and Eighty-four Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira) kept in custody of Fidelity Bank Plc, secured the unauthorised access to Entrust portal of Fidelity Bank Plc.”

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He was also alleged to have with intent to defraud altered the bank account details of the Kano State Government – Power Intervention Fund, NNPC Trading Limited, Stallion Vision Ltd, the Lagos State Government-Blue Line, State Contributory Pension Account, and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ujukwu University.

He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to him.

Following his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Z.B. Atiku, informed the court that the prosecution was ready to prove its case against the defendant.

However, the defence informed the court of the bail application of the defendant, prompting the court to adjourn till Tuesday, March 19, 2024, for hearing of the application.

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At the resumed hearing of the bail application, defence counsel, G.A. Daniel moved the bail application of his client and urged the court to grant bail as the offence was a bailable one.

Ruling on the application, Justice Abike-Fadipe granted him bail in the sum of N5 million, with two sureties in like sum, one of whom must be a blood relation to the defendant.

“The sureties shall depose to affidavit of means, must be gainfully employed and resident within jurisdiction of the court, must show evidence of tax payment for over the last three years to the Lagos State,” the trial judge added.

Justice Abike-Fadipe thereafter adjourned the case till May 30 and June 6, 2024, for commencement of trial.