How Bank Unknowingly Engaged Armed Robbers As Guards

 CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

When the management of a second generation bank engaged the services of Ikechukwu Dike, 32 and Aremu Kunle, 42, as the bank’s night guards, probably they did not know they had engaged suspected armed robbers as guards in one of their branches in Lagos State.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the suspects allegedly conspired at night with others now at large, forcefully broke the bank’s ATM, carted away millions inside the vaults and escaped.

The incident happened at the bank’s branch located at Old Ojo Road, Satellite town, Lagos.

According to Police sources, the suspects were said to have been armed with some hard objects, broke the ATM, carted away all the money found inside it and eventually damaged the machine.

The robbery incident got exposed when the management came to work in the morning and asked the guard what happened; they reportedly admitted that they were sleeping and did not know when the robbers came, broke the machine and escaped.

The matter was reported to the Police at Satellite Town Division and they were arrested. They were later transferred to the SCID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos, for further investigation.

During interrogation, the suspects also claimed they were sleeping inside the bank security post and did not know when the ATM was broken and money carted away.

But after thorough interrogation, the Police found them culpable and subsequently charged them before the Ebute Metta Magistrates Court for conspiracy and stealing.

The pleaded not guilty. 

The prosecuting Counsel, Barrister J.I. Eboseremen, did not object to their being granted bail but asked the Court to give short adjournment for hearing to enable the Police to prove they actually committed the alleged offence.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O. O.Akingbesofe, granted them bail with conditions and ordered their remand in custody pending when they will perfect their bail conditions while the matter was adjourned for mention.