Admin l Monday, October 16, 2017
IKEJA, Lagos, Nigeria – A-47-year old man Henry Ekuaes was today arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court, sitting in lkeja for fraudulently obtaining over N335 million from Union Bank Nigeria plc.
He pleaded not guilty to the three count charges bothering on fraud and obtaining by false pretense and stealing. We gathered that Henry swindled the bank by posing as a distributor with Nestle Nigeria plc.
The prosecutor, Inspector Peter N, said Henry committed the offence sometimes in November 2016, at No. 36, Marina Stallion plaza Lagos. Peter told the court that Henry had issued several Unity Bank Cheques( Cheque number 002082091 dated may 31.2016, for N900,000.00, Cheque number 0002082090 dated June 24. 2016, for N2,500,000.00, another Cheque number 00208209 dated July 26, 2016. For N5.000,000,00) which were returned unpaid due to insufficient funds.
Peter said the offence is punishable under section 285, 314(1)(a)(b)(2) and 322(3) of the criminal law of Lagos state of Nigeria 2015. The charge read in part: “That you, Henry Ekuase, sometimes 2016, at No. 36, marina stallion plaza in the Lagos magisterial district with intent to defraud did obtained N335,363,146.76 from union bank Nigeria plc. With pretence of trading with Nestle and there committed an offence punishable under section 314(1)(a)(b)(2) of the criminal law of Lagos state of Nigeria 2015.
“That, on the same date time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did steal sum N335,363,146.76 property of union bank Nigeria plc. and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 285 of the criminal law of Lagos state of Nigeria 2015.
“That in the aforementioned magisterial district did issue unity bank Cheque number 002082091 dated May 31, 2016. For N900,000.00, Cheque number 002082090 dated June 24, 2016 for 2.500,000,00, and Cheque number 00208209 dated July 26, 2016, fornN5.000,00,00. Money you fraudulently obtained from the bank for the payment of which was returned unpaid due to insufficient fund standing in the account and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 322(3) of the criminal law of the Lagos state of Nigeria 2015.
Magistrate Mrs Y.O Aje-Afunwa granted the accused bail in the sum of N50, million with two suretiesmin like sum. The surety must be a resident in his own house within the jurisdiction of the court, with evidence of current tax paid to Lagos state with verifiable addresses.
She therefore adjourned the matter till December 6, 2017. For mention.
