How ECOBANK’s Staff Connived With Fraudsters, Stole N3.2M Belonging To Customer

Mohammed O. Taoheed Reports

A staff of Ecobank PLC, by name Joshua has been reminded in prison custody following the alleged fraudulent role he played in withdrawing a customer’s N3.2million from the vaults of the bank in connivance with some persons now at large.

The arrest of Joshua followed the eagle eye of the Bank’s management that discovered that the customer’s money was missing from the account and when Joshua, who had direct access to the account was asked to explain the circumstances that led to the missing money, he feigned ignorance and denied knowledge of it.

Not satisfied with his explanation, the bank situated at the Ile-ewe, Ejigbo branch quickly moved and reported the matter to the Ejigbo Division of the Nigeria Police which immediately dispatched its detectives from the Division of the Command in Lagos State to the bank.

The police after carrying out preliminary investigation into the case, arrested 28years old Joshua, a staff of the bank alleged to have connived with criminals and withdrew the customer’s N3.2m lodged with the bank.

It was gathered that the alleged fraud took place in May this year at Ejigbo branch of the bank where the suspect, Joshua, was employed and served as a staff.

The police after its investigation, alleged that sometime in May 2022, the suspect, Joshua, conspired with others now at large to steal by fraudulently diverting the customer’s money kept in the bank with the intention that it will not be discovered by the bank management.

Joshua was accordingly charged before the Ejigbo Magistrate Court for the alleged conspiracy and theft.

Joshua however pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him by the police when he appeared before the Chief Magistrate O.A. Dosumu.

Following his not guilty submission, the police prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Njue, asked the Court to give a date for hearing to enable the prosecution to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.

Magistrate Dosumu however, granted Joshua bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum, who the court ruled must show evidence of means of livelihood.

Joshua was however remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre, Lagos, pending when he will be able to perfect his bail conditions.

The matter was adjourned till October 6, 2022, for mention.