KINGSLEY EBERE
Police operatives from the Force Crime Investigations Department ( FCID), Alagbon, Lagos, have arrested the financial manager of WESTSTAR Associates Limited, Mark Anthony Nwankwo, for allegedly swindling the company to the tune of N100m under false pretence.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the 40-year old manager, Nwankwo, was alleged to have conspired and obtained the money in question under the guise of paying salary increment to workers as well as paying himself which was false.
Nwankwo rather converted the money to his personal use over the years before the company realized through audit and arrested him for investigation over the alleged conduct.
During investigation, the Police also discovered that Nwankwo increased his own salary from N740,000 to N1.7m without the approval of the company’s management and has been paying himself the said sum since 2017 till 2023 before the management eventually discovered the alleged fraud.
According to Police sources, the suspect landed in trouble after the company conducted an audit of the company’s financial account as their fortune was said to be dwindling.
The company discovered that such money was missing and he was summoned to explain what happened as the financial manager of the company.
During the interrogation, Nwankwo reportedly made bogus claims that he used the money for salary increment to workers as well as increasing his own salary during the said period.
But he did not confirmed that the salary increment was approved by the management, which prompted the management to write a petition against him to the Inspector General of Police, who ordered for the investigation of the matter.
After investigation, the Police found him culpable and consequently charged him before the Ebute Metta Magistrate Court for conspiracy and stealing, which attracts several years of imprisonment.
However, he pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned.
The prosecutor, Barrister S.O. Ayodele, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. F.M. Kayode-Alamu, granted him bail in the sum of N1m with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment and addresses verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned till 24th April, 2024, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional centre pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.