MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 35-year old female staff of Giant Strides Microfinance Bank, Endurance Okunbor, has been arrested and charged in Lagos State for swindling the bank by obtaining about N7.3m from customers and bolting away.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspect, Endurance Okunnbor, allegedly obtained the total sum of the money in question under false pretence of remiting the money to the bank but converted the money to personal use and escaped.
The alleged fraud was reported to the Police. She was trailed, eventually arrested and charged before Ojo Magistrate Court in Lagos on two counts bordering on obtaining by false pretences and stealing.
The prosecutor, Dr Simon Uche, told the Court that the defendant committed the offences between October 15, 2019 and October 10, 2023, at the Cele Nica area of Ojo.
Dr Uche alleged that the defendant obtained the total sum of N7.3 million from various customers of Giant Strides Microfinance Bank under the false pretence to remit same to the bank.
The prosecution said the representation by the defendant was false as she bolted away with the money and never remitted same before the bank management discovered the alleged scam and she was arrested for prosecution following thorough Police investigation.
He stated before the Court that the Microfinance Bank was being represented by one Richard Takpa for prosecution on the alleged offence, which contravened the provisions of Section 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
She pleaded not guilty.
The Presiding Magistrate, L K J. Layeni, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1m with one surety in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and addresses verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned till 19th April, 2024, for trial while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional centre pending when she will perfect her bail conditions.