Two bank staffers of a commercial bank (named withheld) in Cross River State involved in conspiracy and theft of funds in the account of a deceased customer of their bank have been jailed.
Daniel Akpan Eno and Mbuk Idongesit who pleaded guilty to separate one-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy and fraudulent transfers were convicted on Wednesday, August 4, 2021.
A third defendant, and alleged accomplice, Victor John Okon pleaded “not guilty.” His trial was adjourned till August 10, 2021 for consideration of bail application.
Justice Edem Ita Kufre of Cross River State High Court, Calabar convicted and sentenced Akpan to three months’ imprisonment with an option of N50,000 fine, while Idongesit was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with an option of N30,000 fine.
The convicts’ journey to prison started on May 23, 2021 when Idongesit (alongside one Utibe George- currently at large) approached Akpan with the burial programme of one Godfried Godwin Osso, a deceased customer of the bank, whom George (at large) claimed was his step – father, with a plot to steal from the deceased’s account.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Uyo Zonal Command, waded in following a petition from the bank, alleging suspicious dissipation of monies in the deceased account into the accounts of family members and acquaintances, from where they were diverted to personal use.
The commission took the case to court and secured the conviction of the accused- Victor Okon who connived with George Ifiok Utibe (at large) and received N1,500,000; Daniel Akpan benefited N1,040,000 while Godwin Mbuk got N130,000 on June 19, 2019.
The judge ordered the convicts to be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional facility until they pay their fines, while Victor was remanded at the Commission’s detention facility pending the hearing of his bail application.
On May 24, 2021, George concluded the deal with the convicts and also contacted a Teller (Victor Okon – the 3rd defendant) from another branch of the bank to ease access to the funds in the account of the deceased.
A 50% sharing formula was agreed upon by the conspirators and the plot was executed.
