€3.8m fraud: Court admits company’s bank statement in evidence

Ogunsakin Mustapha
3 Min Read
Justice Kazeem Alogba, Chief Judge, Lagos State

A Special Offences Court, Ikeja on Wednesday admitted the statement of account of former Executive Director of Finance, Transport and Port Management Systems(TPMS) Yushua Mohammed Ahmed with Keystone Bank as evidence in the ongoing criminal trial of the defendant over €3.8 million fraud.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on February 11, 2020, arraigned Yushua Mohammed Ahmed before the Special Offences Court on a four-count charge bordering on stealing to the tune of €3,808,870.00 (Three Million, Eight Hundred and Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred and Seventy Euro).

Among other charges, Ahmed was alleged to have, between 29th September, 2010 and 26th October, 2010, in Lagos, converted to his own use, the sum of €458,425.00 (Four Hundred and Fifty-eight Thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty -five Euros) belonging to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

EFCC noted that the offence is contrary to Section 280 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him by the Commission.

When the case came up on Wednesday, September 23, EFCC prosecutor, Mr U.U Buhari called the Compliance Officer, Keystone Bank, Mr Folarin Idris into the Witness Box.

Led in evidence box by the prosecutor, the Keystone Bank Officer told court that the nature of his duties required him to work with security agencies to ensure that the bank comply with regulatory law in banking industry.

Mr. Idris noted that part of his duties is to provide details of account holder and any other documents required by security agencies to aid investigation of any crime.

In his testimony, the Compliance Officer affirmed that he produced the company statements of account and other details as required by EFCC in relating to the trial.

Subsequently, Buhari urged court to admit the documents as evidence in the trial.

However, the defendant counsel oppose the admissibility of the documents on the grounds that it does not comply with the evidence act.

In her ruling, the trial judge, Justice Mojisola Dada admitted in evidence the company statements of account with Keystone Bank, Account Opening form, EFCC letter to Keystone Bank and the Bank response letter as exhibit. She subsequently adjourned further trial till December 1, 2020

The defendant, Yushua Mohammed Ahmed was brought to court from prison, (Nigerian Correctional Services) having failed to perfect his bail conditions as granted by court.

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