Fraud: EFCC Docks Female Banker Over N125.6m

Marilyn-Joan Obiora, a former banker, has been brought before the Federal High Court in Umuahia, Abia State, on 15 counts of conspiracy and fraud.  

According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Obiora’s arraignment followed a petition by one Mr. Stephen Inegbu, a zonal security supervisor of Diamond Bank Plc in Port Harcourt, on some sharp practices by the suspect and others at large, detected during a routine examination of customers’ accounts in the bank.

According to Mr. Inegbu, the Bank’s inspection unit unravelled three cases of fraud involving the following amounts: N26 million; N91.6 million; and N8 million.

The EFCC said that upon further investigation, it was discovered that Mrs. Obiora masterminded the fraudulent withdrawals which amounted to a total of N125.6 million,   with some help from four other officials of the Bank.  

The EFCC said Mrs. Obiora is standing trial alone as those colleagues in the crime are at large.  Their names were given as Eze Nwekwe, Emmanuel Nwosu, Emeka Owo and Emmanuel Okebugwu.

Mrs Obiora pleaded not guilty to the charges.  Following the failure of her defence lawyer to present before the court a written application for bail, Justice Umar remanded her in custody.

The case was adjourned to July 18th and 19th, 2012, for hearing of bail application and commencement of trial.