Admin l Friday, October 05, 2017
IKOYI, Lagos – A Federal high court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos on Thursday sentenced Usen Akpan and Ukpai Onyike to five years jail for defrauding different bank customers to the tune of over N18 million within a period of two years.
Justice Ibrahim Buba arrived at his decision after closely examine the the evidence of the prosecution and that of defence in sentencing the convict
The convicts Usen Akpan and Ukpai Onyike were arraigned on a five counts charge for allegedly defrauded different customers of a bank to the tune of over N18, 000,000 (Eighteen Million Naira) over a period of two years.
Counsel for the economic and financial crime commission Ekene Iheanacho had submitted to court in the cause of trial that Usen Akpan and Ukpai Onyike were arrested at a Union Bank branch in Ibadan, Oyo State, while in the process of obtaining an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card of another unsuspecting customer of the bank.
Usen Akpan and Ukpai Onyike were arraigned on a five -count charge bordering on impersonation, conspiracy obtaining ATM cards of Union Bank customers under the cyber crime act.
The convicts had all pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned on October 7, 2016 thereby setting the stage for their trial. In the course of the trial, the prosecution presented 6 witnesses and tendered relevant documents, which were all admitted in evidence.
Delivering his judgement today, Justice Buba said the prosecution had proved its case beyond any reasonable doubt. He, therefore, convicted and sentenced the first convict to 5 years imprisonment with an option of fine of N4 Millon.
Also, second convict to 2 years imprisonment with an option of fine of N2.5 million. After the judgement, prosecution counsel, Ekene Iheanacho, appreciate the court for well judgement delivered.
