Admin I Monday, January 22, 2017
LAGOS, Nigeria – A cashier with Global Trust Savings and Loans Limited, located at Plot 740, Adeola Hopewell street, Victoria Island, Lagos, has been rearraigned before an Ikeja High Court, Lagos, for stealing the sum of N48. 439, 800 million.
The cashier, Patience Onyinye Okoli, was on Friday, rearraigned before Justice Serifat Solebo, by the Economic Crimes and Financial Commission (EFCC), on 100 counts charge bordering on fraud, forgery and stealing.
In charge number LCD/2/2012, the EFCC alleged that the cashier had between September 2007 and February 2009 forged and altered several withdrawal slips of the finance house in carrying out the heinous act.
The EFCC alleged that the accused had between September 26, 2007, and October 9, 2008, with intent to defraud, stole the sum of N775, 000, by withdrawing the money from one Clara Obiejamu’s account. Between January 21, 2008, and February 4, 2009, she allegedly withdrew total sum of N27,734, 900 million, from the account of John Odu, a customer of Global Trust Savings and Loans.
In a 75 count charge, Okoli was alleged to have sometimes in February, 2009, with an intent to defraud and in order to facilitate stealing, fraudulently forged a withdrawal slip numbered 0081678, in the sum of N900, 000, which she claimed to have been signed by one John Odu.
In count 100 of the charge, Okoli allegedly defrauded her employer the sum of N200, 000, by forging and altering a withdrawal slip of the company, which she claimed to have been signed by John Odu.
The offences according to the EFCC prosecutor, Mr. George Yakua offends sections 390 (8), 467, 468, of the Criminal Code Law Cap. C17, Laws of Lagos state, 2003. The accused pleaded not guilty to all the counts charge. Her lawyer, Festus Afeleyedion, pleaded with the court to let her client continue with the previous bail terms granted her, when she was first arraigned sometimes in 2012.
Justice Solebo conceded to the lawyer’s request and adjourned the matter till February 16, for commencement of trial.
