3 remanded for allegedly stealing N3.5 Billion

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed charges against three suspects, alleging the theft of N3.5 billion from Access Bank.

Michael Igbomins, David Onyeike, and Moses Iruolaje, the defendants in the case, were arraigned at the Ikeja Special Offences Court, facing charges of theft and unlawful retention of stolen funds.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the defendants, whose residential addresses were not disclosed, entered pleas of not guilty.

Representing the EFCC, Counsel Abdulhamid Tukur requested a trial date and asked that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility.

The defense counsel acknowledged the absence of any pending applications and expressed hope that necessary actions would be taken before the next court date.

According to the prosecution, the alleged crimes took place in Lagos in 2023.

The defendants are facing allegations of fraudulently diverting N3.5 billion from Access Bank’s accounts for their own benefit, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) asserts that they knowingly and illegally retained the stolen funds.

The defendants’ alleged actions, as specified by the EFCC, violate Section 17 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Establishment Act of 2004 and Section 280 of the Lagos State Criminal Laws of 2015.

Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe ruled that the defendants be held at the Ikoyi Custodial Centre pending a review of their bail application, setting the stage for the trial to begin on November 28.