Tag Archives: Accomplice

Bank Manager, Accomplice Divert Customers’ N14m

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The police in Lagos have arrested an ex-manager of Ecobank Nigeria Plc, Ejigbo branch, 41-year-old Ikechukwu Aghanenu, for allegedly colluding with a suspected fraudster, Anthony Okpala, to defraud two customers of the bank of N14m.

The customers are Mrs. Oluremi Egunjobi (now late), and one Rabiu Lawal, who is based in the United Kingdom.

The suspects, who were arrested on Wednesday, reportedly diverted N4.014m from the deceased’s bank account 5323007058, while N10m was said to have been fraudulently withdrawn from Lawal’s account, 2741128259.

It was learnt that 34-year-old Okpala and one other suspect at large, had presented themselves to Aghanenu as the relatives of the deceased with some forged documents authorising the bank to release the sum.

It was gathered that the deal was perfected between September and November, 2015 and the money was withdrawn from late Egunjobi’s account.

Within the same period, the police said Okpala paraded himself as a business partner of Lawal and allegedly colluded with Aghanenu to withdraw N10m from Lawal’s account in tranches.

A police source said that investigation of the alleged fraud commenced after a lawyer to the deceased’s relatives and Lawal respectively lodged complaints to the bank, adding that the manager had been sacked.

The source said, “The bank reported the fraud to the police and in the course of investigation, it was discovered that the fraudulent transactions were carried out by Okpala with the knowledge of the ex-manager and others at large.

“Okpala presented himself and another suspect at the Ecobank’s branch in Ejigbo as relatives of the late Oluremi (Egunjobi) and instructed the bank to liquidate her account, which was done through the help of the ex-manager. But he (Aghanenu) denied knowing Okpala.

“The other victim, Lawal, works in UK and saves money at the bank with the hope of using the money to invest when he relocates to Nigeria. It was when he checked his account balance that he discovered the withdrawals and complained to the bank.”

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Police Nab South African Cocaine Trafficker’s Nigerian Accomplice

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A Nigerian suspected of having sponsored a South African woman, Lerato Lekganyane, who was allegedly caught with 1.21 kilogrammes of cocaine at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA), Lagos on May 20, has been arrested. 
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) disclosed this on Tuesday at Lekganyane’s trial before Justice Babs Kuewumi of the Federal High Court, Lagos. 
The unnamed Nigerian man and Lekganyane will be arraigned, (she for the second time) before Justice Kuewumi on August 4.
Lekganyane was said to have been apprehended by NDLEA officials at the MMIA while attempting to board a Johannesburg, South Africa-bound plane with the illicit substance concealed in two packages inside her bra.
Prosecuting counsel, Mr. Augustine Nwagu, had told the court that Lekganyane acted contrary to Section 11(b) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The accused had earlier been arraigned and pleaded guilty to one count of cocaine trafficking pressed against her by the agency, after which Justice Babs Kuewumi adjourned till yesterday for review of the facts of the case and sentencing.
Yesterday, however, Nwagu informed the court that he needed to amend the charge sheet as Lekganyane’s accomplice, a Nigerian, had also been arrested and brought to court.
He said, trying Lekganyane and her accomplice would ensure smoothness of the trial.
“I was informed this morning that the person that sponsored her for this trip has been arrested and they even brought him to court this morning, but I told them that I could not file the charge now. I will be applying for a very short adjournment to enable me to amend the charge and join the second person that they have just arrested,” the prosecutor said.
Defence counsel, Chief (Mrs.) Lilian Omotunde opposed Nwagu’s application.
She said: “I am objecting to this application made by the prosecuting counsel in view of the fact that the matter was slated for review of facts today and the defendant has already pleaded guilty. She is a foreigner; she has accepted her guilt. I expected my colleague to have gone ahead for the review.
“A few minutes ago, I was informed that a Nigerian who is the mastermind is in court. If it pleases Your Lordship, I will be applying that we go ahead with the review of the case. My learned friend knows what to do with the mastermind that has just been arrested.”
In a short ruling, Justice Kuewumi said the prosecution was entitled to the right to amend its charge if it wished.
He adjourned till August 4, 2016 for further proceedings.

Credit: Nation