Weeks after entering into plea bargain with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), a senior clerk with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Togun Kayode Philip and Mrs. Esther Olunike Afolabi of Wema Bank were wednesday sentenced to three years imprisonment each with a Gregorian calendar.
The convicts were among other bank staff involved in the infamous N8billion currency mutilation scam at the Ibadan branch of the CBN.The judge handed down the judgment having found them guilty on the six-count of stealing and conspiracy preferred against them by the anti-graft agency.
The trial was abridged following the plea bargain agreement entered into by the convicts and the prosecution counsel.
Justice Joyce Abdul Malik before her short judgment had adopted the plea bargain agreement involving the prosecution and defence counsel .
Justice Abdul-Malik said though the defendants have shown remorse, the court hereby convict and sentence them to three years imprisonment of 12 calendar months a year and they are to forfeit properties illegally acquired from the proceeds of the fraud to the federal government.
The judge said: “The defendant, Toogun Kayode Philip, originally charged with the offences of obtaining by false pretence, conspiracy, inducement, false enteries and forging of documents having shown remorse for his actions hereby changes his plea to guilty through this agreement and shall forfeit the following properties to the federal government , a three bedroom apartment situated at Oganla Area of Omi-Adio, Ibadan.”
The convict will also forfeit the entire sum of funds in Access Bank Account no. 0041991002 in the name of Toogun Kayode Philip.
The judge also said the second convict, Afolabi Esther Olunike, will also forfeit to the federal government certain assets traced to her such as a five Bedroom duplex situated at No 8 , Fatoke Street, Molete area, Ibadan , a filing station -Oba Oil and Gas Limited located at Liberty Academy Area, Ibadan ,and a wrecked borehole machine/rig located at Ibadan.
Justice Abdul-Malik further said under the plea bargain agreement, Afolabi Esther Olunike will have the funds in the following bank accounts connected to her forfeited to the federal government:
- A first Bank of Nigeria Plc account no. 3052548786 in the name of Afolabi Esther Olunike with all the acruable interest.
- A First Bank of Nigeria Plc account no. 2022878379 in the name of Afolabi Esther Olunike with all the acruable interest.
- A Zenith Bank account no. 2005307166 in the name of Afolabi Ayobami with all the accruable interest.
- A Zenith Bank account no. 2009360514 in the name of Afolabi Esther Olunike with all the accruable interest.
- A Zenith Bank account no. 1012682804 in the name of Afolabi Esther Olunike with all the accruable interest .
- A GTB account no. 0123240780 in the name of Afolabi Esther Olunike.
- A GTB account no. 0117895356 in the name of Afolabi Ayobami with all the acruable interest.
The case, FHC/IB/32c/2015 between the Federal Government & Kolawole Babalola and others was later adjourned to May 8,2017 for continuation of trial.
In court 2 of the Federal High Court, where the second matter involving CBN staff in the N8billion mutilated currency notes was heard, the apex bank narrated how the lid was blown open before Justice Ayo Emmanuel.
Justice Ayo Emmanuel later adjourned the matter to today for continuation of the trial.
This Day
No comments:
Post a Comment