A worker with Mainstreet Bank in Lokoja, Kogi State, Muhammed Umar, was last week arraigned before a Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly defrauding the bank to the tune of N37 million.
The accused, who is the head of operation at the bank was charged with criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and cheating, offences that are contrary to Sections 312, 309 and 322 of the Penal Code.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), one Caesar Ibie reported at the police station in Lokoja that on April 11, 2013, while on routine check at the Mainsreet bank, Ankpa branch, he discovered that the accused had embezzled N37million from the bank.
The FIR further stated that the accused embezzled the said money through unauthorized cheques debited to various customers’ accounts without their consent, manipulation of customers’ account by not crediting them and at the same time debiting the said account whenever deposits were made by customers.
“The accused used the money to purchase four vehicles, build a two bedroom flat at Ajobe village, Ankpa, equip a cassava processing plant at Ojepata and open a publishing outfit at Anyigba,” part of the FIR stated.
It further stated that the accused, Muhammed Umar, confessed to the crime.
But at the hearing yesterday, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges while his counsel led by Sam Akoji, urged the court to grant him bail on the ground that an accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court. The prosecutor, Samuel Ikutanwa, did not oppose the bail application.
In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Levi Animoku, granted the accused bail in the sum of N1 million with a surety in like sum. He added that the surety must be a civil servant of grade level 15 and above with either the state or Federal Government and adjourned the case to August 20.
