Alleged N139 Million: EFCC Rearraigns Access Bank Senior Manager

Alleged N139 Million: EFCC Rearraigns Access Bank Senior Manager

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at an Ikeja Special Offences Court, Lagos arraigned a senior manager of Diamond Bank Plc (now Access Bank Plc) one Mr. Anthony Nwosu and Mr. Osita Ojeah on allegations of conspiracy to commit felony and stealing N139 million property of Virgin Forest Energy Limited and Mrs. Nneoma Johnson Chukwu.

Mr. Osita Ojeah was docked alongside his company Homeland and Overseas Limited dealing in International Foreign Exchange(IFE) on two count charge bothering conspiracy to commit felony and stealing contrary to section 278(1)(a), 285 and 409 of the criminal law of Lagos state 2011.

The prosecuting counsel for the EFCC, Nkereuwem Anana informed the court that the commission based on the information dated 3rd of July 2020 would like for the defendants to take there plea.

The commission is alleging that Mr. Anthony Nwosu and Mr. Osita Ojeah conspired among themselves to steal from Mrs. Nneoma Johnson Chukwu and Virgin Forest Energy Limited the sum of N139 million which was meant to be exchanged for dollars to facilitate importation of petroleum product (AGO) at an agreed rate of N308.5/$

In a petition submitted to the commission dated 4th May, 2016 the complaint alleged that Mr. Osita Ojeah was introduced to them by Mr. Anthony Nwosu due to his position in the bank and recommendation they decided to do business with Mr. Osita

In reference to the petition, “Relying on Mr. Nwosu’s position as a Senior Manager and Staff of Diamond Bank’s Treasury Department, and his assurance that the dollar inflow was already in Homeland’s account with Diamond Bank our Client agreed to embark on the transaction with Mr. Osita Ojeah. Mr. Nwosu thereafter instructed our Client to make payment directly to Mr. Osita Ojeah’s company account with Diamond Bank, Homeland and Overseas Limited and that upon receipt of the Naira value unto the account of Homeland, the company would effect immediate transfer the dollar equivalent into Virgin Forest domiciliary account With Diamond bank.

According to the charge, “Osita Ojeah, Anthony Nwosu and Homeland Oversea Ltd on or about the 3rd day of February, 2016 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly stole and converted the sum of N139,000,000 (One Hundred And Thirty Nine Million Naira) property of Virgin Forest Energy Limited.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them by the Commission.

Defence counsel to the third defendant C.H Mwuke informed the court that a bail application filed on the 27th November 2020 and served on the prosecutor on same day while the First and Second defence counsel, Henry Ifiekwe informed the court that he only served the prosecutor this morning pleaded with the court for the defendant to be taken back to the EFCC custody pending hearing of bail application also citing Covid-9 fears.

In response to the application of the defence counsels, prosecutor informed the court that he intend to oppose the bail applications urging the court for a very short adjournment.

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo remanded the defendants to EFCC custody pending hearing of bail application. Matter adjourned to 4th of December 2020.