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Court jails former banker 121years for N112m fraud in Onitsha

Justice S. N. Odili of the Anambra State High Court sitting in Onitsha, Anambra State, has convicted and sentenced a former manager with First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Onitsha branch, Nwachukwu Placidus, to a cumulative 121 years imprisonment for diverting fixed deposit funds of a customer to the tune of N112,100,000( One Hundred and Twelve Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira only) for his personal use.

He was arraigned on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 on 16-count charges bordering on forgery, stealing, obtaining by false pretence and uttering, by the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

One of the counts reads: “Nwachukwu Placidus between February 2009 and November 2014 in Onitsha, Anambra State within the jurisdiction of the Anambra State High Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud obtained the sum of (N112,100,000) One Hundred and Twelve Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira only, from Idemili Microfinance Bank under the false pretence that you have placed the said money in a fixed deposit account with First City Monument Bank PLC for it, which pretence you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence”.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him, thus setting the stage for his trial.

In the course of trial, the EFCC, through its counsel, Mainforce Adaka Ekwu presented four witnesses and tendered several relevant documents which were admitted in evidence.

In his judgment, Justice Odili held that “the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt” and sentenced the convict to nine years imprisonment on count 3, 4 years on count 4 and 9 years on counts 5 to 16 respectively. He was discharged on counts 1 and 2.

The sentences shall run concurrently.
The court further ordered the convict to restitute the said sum to his victim, Idemili Microfinance Bank.

Placidus ’journey to the Correctional Centre began when a petitioner , Idemili Microfinance Bank LTD, alleged that the sum of N112, 100, 000 was handed over to him as the branch manager of FCMB in Onitsha, for fixed deposit.

However, when the petitioner approached the bank to terminate and withdraw the deposit, the bank denied receiving the said funds.

Upon receipt of the petition, the EFCC swung into action and investigations revealed that the convict diverted the money for his own use and issued a fake fixed Deposit Certificate to the petitioner.

News

Lagos Govt shuts church, six establishments for noise pollution

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has shut a church and six other establishments for noise pollution in Surulere and Orile lganmu areas of the State.

LASEPA, in a statement on its X handle said it conducted a comprehensive enforcement operation aimed at curbing noise pollution and other environmental violations in the Surulere and Orile lganmu areas of Lagos State.

It said despite repeated warnings and abatement notices issued in the past, numerous establishments, persisted in contravening LASEPA’s directives.

The body added that consequently, these non-compliant establishments had been temporarily shut down to ensure strict compliance with environmental regulations.

The tweet read: “Today, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) conducted a comprehensive enforcement operation aimed at curbing noise pollution and other environmental violations in the Surulere and Orile lganmu areas of Lagos State.

“Despite repeated warnings and abatement notices issued in the past, numerous establishments, persisted in contravening LASEPA’s directives. Consequently, these non-compliant establishments have been temporarily shut down to ensure strict compliance with environmental regulations.

“Among the affected establishments include Red Pepper Bites Limited, Lacibo Restaurant & Lounge, Lakeem Suites, Krusty Butter Bakery & Pastries, Addie, Revelated Christian Ministry, and Don Nelson Resort & Suites.”

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Many trapped as one-storey building collapses in Minna

Several people have been trapped as a one-storey building collapsed in Minna, the Niger State capital.

The building which is located in Sabon Gari area of Minna collapsed on Friday, May 17, 2024.

Emergency officials who raced to the scene succeeded in rescuing seven persons who are receiving treatment at the Minna General Hospital.

At the time of filing this report, the manual evacuation of the debris has commenced, and the authorities said machines would be mobilised quickly so that those suspected to be trapped could be rescued.

The immediate cause of the building collapse is not yet known as of the time of this report.

The Director, Information and Special Duties of Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Hussaini Ibrahim, who was at the scene of the incident said the rescue operation is ongoing.

Also, the General Manager of the Niger State Urban Development Board, Bako Ismail, said the building was illegally converted to a story building, claiming that the board has made repeated attempts to stop the property owner from the illegal conversion

News

Court sentences man to 5 years imprisonment for trafficking

A 44-year-old man, Mohammed Usman, has been sentenced to five years imprisonment for trafficking two persons from Kano to Libya.

The convict was prosecuted by the National Agency For the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

NAPTIP in a statement on Thursday, May 16, 2024, said Usman was found guilty on two counts preferred against him by the agency.

“Mohammed Usman from Walalambe, Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, was found guilty on two counts and sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for each count, *without the option of fine*, for procuring the illegal entry of two individuals from Kano to Libya. This is a violation of the Trafficking In Persons Act 2015 and is punishable under Section 26(1). Justice is served!,” the statement read.