Access Bank, Staff Set For Arraignment Over Illegal Deduction From Customer’s Account

The arraignment of a bank worker, Olawunmi Audu, and Access Bank in a case of alleged unlawful deduction of N197.2 million from Chimex Aluminium and Steel Company before a FCT High Court, Zuba has been fixed for March 22.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed 21 counts bordering on abetment against Ms. Audu and Access Bank Plc.

Justice A.O. Ebong fixed the date after the EFCC counsel, Halidu Mohammed, informed the court that the matter cannot proceed because the charges against the defendants were still being reviewed.

He however craved the court’s indulgence to put his house in order and asked for a date for arraignment.

Ms. Audu and her counsel, Aliyu Hussain were in court but Access Bank was not represented.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suspects were stalled on January 12, after the defence counsel said Ms. Audu was pregnant and had to be at the hospital for her medical examination.

The prosecution counsel however told the court that the charges against the suspects were under review on the said date.

The EFCC asserted that Ms. Audu aided Uche Sado, also a staff of Access Bank and relationship officer of De Chimex Aluminium and Steel Company Ltd, to transfer N197.2 million from the possession of Chimex Company.

The prosecution said Ms. Audu allegedly abetted the use as genuine a forged document titled “Access Bank Fund transfer/standing order form” sometime in May, 2018, adding that the offence contravened Sections 85, 287 and 364 of the Penal Code.