A Staff of Sterling Bank Defrauds Customer of Over N4M

The police at the Lion Building Division, Campbell Street, Lagos have arrested Remi Adebimpe, 34, a staff of Sterling Bank Plc in Lagos for allegedly converting the sum of £14,000 (N4,214,000) given to him by a customer of the bank to lodge into an account. But Adebimpe took the money for personal use and escaped. Also arrested in connection of the crime was one Suleimon Azeez, 45. According to the police, the crime was perpetrated on 9 June, 2015 during working hours at the Sterling Bank Plc, Ikoyi branch, Ikoyi, Lagos. Police said the fraud was discovered when the customer, Jonathan Nwora, notified the bank management of the alleged fraud. The bank management immediately sacked Adebimpe and reported the matter to the police. Following the report, the DPO in-charge of Lion building division, CSP Tanaruno Anthonia directed a team led by Inspector Elegbede Oluranti to track and arrest Adebimpe. After investigation, Adebimpe and his accomplice were arraigned before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on a two count charge of felony and stealing. Police prosecutor, Ignatius Okeke informed the court in charge No A/46/2015 that the complainant, Jonathan Nwora, a customer of Sterling bank plc gave the sum of £20,000 to the accused, Remi Adebimpe, a transaction officer with the Sterling bank to lodge in his account, but instead he lodge only £6,000 into his account and converted the sum of £14,000 for his personal use. Okeke told the court that during investigation, the accused confessed to stealing the money saying his accomplice Azeez lured him to a native doctor to spend the stolen money for the printing of dollars to become rich overnight which did not materialise. Okeke noted the offences are punishable under sections 409,312(1)and 285(7) of the criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011. The accused persons however pleaded not guilty to the alleged crime in the open court and Chief Magistrate Mrs K.B Ayeye admitted them to bail in the sum of N200,000 each with two surties each in like sum. Ayeye adjourned the case for mention, while the defendants were taken to Ikoyi prison, Lagos pending when they will fulfil their bail conditions.