A Lagos Federal High Court, on Monday, fixed July 4, for the arraignment of a defunct bank, Nigeria International Bank Limited and 15 of its staff charged with alleged N2. 6 billion fraud.

Other accused charged alongside the bank were: Chief C. S Sankey, Adekunle Oladosun, Okechi Egwu, Lulu Ndubuka, Oyowole Ariyo. Kabiru Bello, and J.E Eriagbon,

Others are: Samson Ebie, Steve Obodomechine, Mikky Dons Nig. Ltd, Mark Anaele, Peter Harris, Peter Oriade, Olusola Fagbure and Obianwa Chuba.

The bank and its former staff are charged on 20 counts bordering on Conspiracy, intent to defraud, falsification of document, fraudulent alteration and diversion of over N2. 6 billion belonging to MicMerah International Agency Limited.

The accused persons’ arraignment which was slated today was further further adjourned to July 4, at the instance of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

When the case was called, counsel from the office of the AGF, Mrs Kehinde Bode-Ayeni informed the court of AGF’s withdrawal of the fiat given to the former prosecutor, Mr Gordy Uche (SAN).

Bode-Ayeni imformed the court that the AGF was yet to re-issue a fiat to another prosecuting counsel. Consequently, the court adjourned the matter to July 4 for mention.

At the resumed proceedings of the criminal case of on Monday, the bank represented by one of its staff, Mr Ofodile Ojiako was present in court, alongside Mark Anaele who represented Mikky Dons Limited, Lulu Ndukuba and Olusola Fagbure.

The arraignment of the accuses persons were stalled on three occasions notably on February 9, March 2 and April 11, due to the inability of the prosecution to serve them with the criminal summons.

In the charge, the accused were alleged to have conspired to induce MicMerah International Agency Ltd, to deliver the said sum to them, to be used for offsetting a fraudulent import finance facility scheme.
They were also alleged to have falsified documents to fraudulently secure the release of four Volvo luxury buses and two 40 feet containers from the Nigeria Custom Service.

Besides, the accused are also charged with obtaining property by false pretence, as well as corruptly enriching themselves.

The offence is said to have contravened the provisions of sections 1(1) (a),1(3), and 8 (a), of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related offence Act, 2004.

The offence also contravened the provisions of sections 161, and 162 of the Custom and Excise Management Act, Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, 2004 as well as sections 2, 2(1) and 10 (1) of the Recovery of Public Property Act, 2004.http://thestreetreporters.com/?p=5559

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