Posted on: 02:34 Wed, 24 Feb 2016



The Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, (EFCC) on Monday 22
February, 2016 arraigned the duo
of Eke Chukwudi Kingsley and
Simon Onyekachi Ononobi before
Justice L.C. Azuama of the State
High Court Orlu, Imo State on a six
count charge bordering on
conspiracy and stealing to the tune
of (N21, 020.000.00) twenty one
million, twenty thousand naira,
contrary to section 495 (a) of the
Criminal Code Law Cap 30 of Imo
State.

Kingsley and Simon were staff of a
new generation bank, before they
were arrested for the allege crime.

They allegedly conspired and
changed the account mandate of
Irewolede Housing Estate belonging
to Kwara State Government and
converted the said sum to their
personal use.

They both pleaded not guilty to the
charge preferred against them.

One of the counts read:

“Eke Chukwudi Kingsley, Simon
Onyekachi and others now at
large, on or about the 24th day of
March 2014, at Orlu, within the
jurisdiction of the High Court of
Orlu, in Imo State, with intent to
defraud, stole the sum of
N4,660,000.00 (Four Million Six
Hundred and Sixty Thousand
Naira) through electronic transfer
from Account No 0020721044
belonging to Kwara State
Irewolede Housing Estate
domiciled with Access Bank
Nigeria Plc. and thereby
committed an offence”.

In view of the accused persons’
plea, the prosecuting counsel
Mbachie Innocent asked for a trial
date.

The defense counsel Ben U.
Nwanegbo on the other hand,
applied for bail of his clients which
was opposed by the prosecuting
counsel on the grounds that they
could jump bail.

Justice Azuama however granted
them bail in the sum of N900,000
and one surety each in like sum.

The sureties must be resident of
Imo State and have, either a
chieftaincy title or be a public
servant of the rank of director,
They are also to have landed
property within Imo State with
Certificate of Occupancy (C of O)
and evidence of tax clearance for 3
years.

The case was adjourned to
February 24 ; 7th and 16th March,
2016 for hearing.