A former Customers Service Executive with Zenith Bank Plc, Unyime Faithlyn Akinmade, was today arraigned before the Federal High Court, Lagos on charges bordering on alleged N16 million fraud, issuance of dud cheques, obtaining by false pretenses and fraudulent conversation.
The former Zenith bank staff was arraigned before Justice Tijani Ringim by officers of Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU).
Arraigning the defendant in a charge marked FHC/L/372c/21, the prosecutor, Mr. Henry Obiaze, told the court that the defendant by fraudulenty means, obtained a total sum of N16 million from one Omoigho Sandra Collins, between the July 2020 and July 2021.
The prosecution told the court the the defendant fraudulenty obtained the said sum from the victim under the pretence of investing same and giving her multiple return on investment.
He also told the court that the defendant issued a Zenith Bank cheque of N16 million to the fraud victim, which was rejected and returned due to insufficient fund in the account.
The prosecution also told the court that the defendant converted the said N16 million, obtanied from Omoigho Sandra Collins, and used same derived directly from participating in an organized criminal group and racketeering with the aim of either concealing or disguising the illicit origin of the resources.
The offences according to the prosecutor are contrary to and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. And Section 1(1)(i) of the Dishonoured Cheques (Offences) Act Cap. D11 LFN, 2004.
He further told the court that the offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 15(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following the defendant’s plea, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date, he also asked the court to remand the defendant at the facility of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), till the determination of the charge.
But counsel to the defendant, Adegboyega Erinle, informed the court of his client’s bail application, which he said that the prosecutor refused Services.
He applied to court to serve the application on the prosecutor in open court, which was granted.
Receiving the bail appllication, the prosecutor said: “I confirm the receipt of the bail appllication now. I ask for further date to enable me respond to the application. I’ve seven days to respond”.
After serving the application on the prosecutor, Erinle who pleaded with the court to hear the bail appllication said: “without overburden the court, the applicant has already been granted bail by Justice Osiagor, and it has been perfected. We pray that she enjoy the benefits of the order of this court, having be detained since December 7, 2021.
His application was objected to by the prosecutor, the objection was upheld by the court.
Justice Ringim therefore adjourned the hearing of the bail appllication till January 21, while also he also ordered that the defendant be remanded in the facility of NCoS.
