NAN – Two men, Remi Adebimpe, 34, and Sulaiman Azeez, 45, on Thursday, November 19, 2015 appeared at a Tinubu Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly conspiring to steal 12,000 pounds (N4.2 million) belonging to Sterling Bank Plc.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adebimpe works at the Ikoyi branch of the bank while Azeez is a spray painter at Obalende in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The accused are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and obtaining money under false pretence.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Ignatius Okeke, said the offence was committed on June 9, this year at the Ikoyi branch of the bank.
Okeke told court that one Jonathan Nworo, a customer at the bank had approached Adebimpe to help him lodge 20,000 pounds into his domiciliary account.
He said the money was for the payment of Nwororo’s daughter’s school fees at a university in England.
The prosecutor said the first accused, who had been Nwuro`s accounts officer for 10 years, promised to pay the money in three tranches of 8,000, 6,000 and 6,000.
Okeke said the customer got alert for the payment of only 8,000 pounds and that the remaining 12 pounds was never paid into Nwororo’s account.
The prosecutor said the banker was consequently, arrested and that it was during investigation that the first accused revealed that one Alfa Alimi, introduced to him by Azeez had duped him of the money.
Okeke said that Adebimpe further confessed that he gave the money to Alimi, now at large, who had promised that he would help him pray, double the money and make him richer.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened Sections 409,312 and 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State (2011).
The duo, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Magistrate, Mrs K. Ayeye, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
She adjourned the case to Dec. 12 for mention.
