Banker Re-arraigned For Allegedly Defrauding Standard Chartered Bank of N723m

Operatives of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Ikoyi, Lagos, Thursday, re-arraigned a banker with Standard Chartered Bank, Jeffery Akhimien and one other, before a Federal High Court, Lagos for allegedly defrauded the bank of the sum of N723,660,867.47.

Jeffery was re-arraigned alongside Segun Samuel Ogunjimi and a limited liability Company, Greater Heights Technologies, before Justice Nnamdi O. Dimgba, on charges bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, fraud, and illegal and unlawful of funds conversion.

The defendants were alleged to have committed the offences between January and December 2020.

Jeffery and his accomplices were previously arraigned on 4 July, 2022 before Justice Peter Lifu, now sitting at the Abuja jurisdiction of the court.

At the resumed hearing of the charges against the banker and others, the prosecutor, Mr. Justine Enang, urged the court to allow the reading of the charge to the defendants, for the pleas to be taken afresh, since the matter was coming up for the first time before a new judge.

Counsel to the defendants, Malachi Ugwumadu and Daniel Olukoya, did not opposed prosecutor’s request.

Consequently, though, the charges were not read to the defendants, but the judge having asked from them if they knew and understood the charges, asked them of their plea and they pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following the defendants’ not guilty plea, their counsel pleaded with the court to allow them to continue with the bail conditions earlier granted them by the former trial judge.

The application was not opposed by the prosecutor.

Consequently, Justice Dimgba adjourned the matter to 15 October, 2024, for trial.

The PSFU in the charge, alleged that Jeffrey Akhimien, who worked with the Aromire Street, Ikeja, Lagos branch of the bank, conspired with Segun Samuel Ogunjimi; his company, Greaterheights Technologies Limited and one Lucky Sargin, to swindle the Standard Chartered Bank of total sum of N723, 660, 867. 47 million.

Jeffrey was alleged to have singlehandedly converted to his own use and benefit the sum of N175 million. While he and others were alleged to have jointly defrauded the bank of the sum of N548,660,867.47.

The bank staff, Jeffrey was also alleged to had falsely presented to the bank, that all members of staff of Greater Heights Technologies Limited needed loans from the Bank and that the said Staff authorized him to approach the Bank and negotiate for the loans on their behalf and that their salaries and Grade Levels qualified them for the loans and that their loans advanced was meant to assist them solve their individual financial needs and that they had the means, ability and capacity to pay back the loans as at when due.

The offences according to the PSFU are contrary to Section 8(a), 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No.14 of 2006, but punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act, and section 15(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as mended in 2012.