The duo sometime in 2014 at the Ecobank PLC Oghara branch, in Delta State, cashed on a system glitch leading to malfunctioning of the Quickteller facility in the bank’s ATM to defraud the banks by transferring monies to several accounts. All the transactions involved were failed transactions but the monies transferred were not reversed from the customer’s accounts.
Over Two Hundred and Ten Million Naira was transferred into their First Bank accounts, which they laundered through other peoples bank accounts and later converted to their personal use.
Count one of the charge reads, “that you Stanley Odjighere, Michael Jesuovomine Edoja (now at large) and others at large sometime in 2014 at Oghara, Delta State, within the jurisdiction of this honorable Court, did transfer and convert to your use over N130, 753, 674.09 (One Hundred and Thirty Million Seven Hundred and Fifty Three Thousand Six Hundred and Seventy Four Naira Nine Kobo) only, being money you fraudulently stole from Ecobank and which said sum you applied same into the purchase of cars, plot of land and development thereof, with the aim of disguising the illegal origin of the money and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15 (1) (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act No. 11, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 15 (2) of the same Act”.
Count two reads, “that you Igho Timothy Okpekekereke, Michael Jesuovomine Edoja (now at large) and others now at large sometime in 2014 at Oghara, Delta State, within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did transfer and convert to your use over N87, 299,000.00 (Eighty Seven Million Two Hundred and Ninety Nine Thousand Naira) only, being money you fraudulently stole from Ecobank and which said sum you applied same into the purchase of cars, plots of land and development thereof, with the aim of disguising the illegal origin of the money and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15 (1) (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act No. 11, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 15 (2) of the same Act”.
In view of their plea, the prosecution counsel, G. O Edobor asked for a date for the review of the case and sentencing.
Justice Abubakar adjourned the matter to January 15, 2016 for sentencing of the defendants and ordered that they be remanded in prison custody.
Alleged Oil Theft: EFCC Arraigns 12 persons, Vessel
The EFCC Friday arraigned 12 persons, two companies and a vessel, MV PSV DEBY before Justice Muhammad B. Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos on a four count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and illegal dealing in petroleum products.
MV PSV DEBY and its crew members – Christopher Okorie, John U Mbah, Tammy Bami, Osi Prince, Chukwuji Festus, Kabiru Adeyemo, Ayannubi Moses, Sopuruchukwu Chukwudi, Obinna Ebu, Abdullahi Oyelade, Charles Ubey and Achia Vincent- were intercepted by Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft patrol boat on the 3rd of September, 2015 on suspicion of illegal dealing in petroleum products. Further investigation revealed that the vessel was carrying thousands of litres of suspected illegally refined automotive gas oil, AGO.
Counts one and two of the charge reads: “That you Christopher Okorie, Phonic Marines Services Limited, MV PSV DEBY, John U. Mbah, Banquet Chambers Nigeria Limited, Prince Idowu Ilara (at large), Tammy Bami, Osi Prince, Chukwuji Festus, Kabiru Adeyemo, Ayannubi Moses, Sopuruchukwu Chukwudi, Obinna Ebu, Abdullahi Oyelade, Charles Ubey and Achia Vincent between July and September 2015, at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit; dealing in petroleum products without lawful authority and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, law of the Federation of Nigeria 2014 and punishable under Section 1(17) (a) of the same Act.
“That you Christopher Okorie, Phonic Marines Services Limited, MV PSV DEBY, John U. Mbah, Banquet Chambers Nigeria Limited, Prince Idowu Ilara (at large), Tammy Bami, Osi Prince, Chukwuji Festus, Kabiru Adeyemo, Ayannubi Moses, Sopuruchukwu Chukwudi, Obinna Ebu, Abdullahi Oyelade, Charles Ubey and Achia Vincent between August and September, 2015 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court did without lawful authority store 600,000 litres of Petroleum Product (Automotive Gas and Oil) in MV PSV DEBY and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1(17) (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004”.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In view of the plea of the accused persons, the prosecution counsel, M. F. Owebe prayed the court for a trial date and to remand the accused persons in prison custody.
However, the defence counsel asked for a short adjournment for hearing of the bail application.
Justice Idris ordered that the accused persons be remanded in Ikoyi prison and adjourned the case to Tuesday January 26, 2015 for hearing of the bail application.
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