The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of two bank officials, Daniel Akpan Eno and Mbuk Idongesit, for conspiracy and theft of funds from the account of a deceased commercial bank customer in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Justice Edem Ita Kufre of the Cross River State High Court, Calabar, sentenced the duo to three-month imprisonment with Mr Apkan given an option of N50,000 fine and Mr Idongesit N30,000.
The duo was convicted on Wednesday August 4, 2021 after pleading guilty to separate one count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy and fraudulent transfers.
A third defendant, and alleged accomplice, Victor John Okon pleaded “not guilty”. His trial was adjourned till August 10, 2021 for consideration of bail application.
The convicts’ journey to prison started on May 23, 2021 when Mr Idongesit (alongside one Utibe George — currently at large) approached Akpan with the burial programme of one Godfried Godwin Osso, a deceased customer of the Bank, whom George (at large) claimed was his step father, with a plot to steal from the deceased’s account.
On May 24, 2021, George concluded the deal with the convicts and also contacted a Teller (Victor Okon – the 3rd defendant) from another branch of the bank to ease access to the funds in the account of the deceased. A 50% sharing formula was agreed upon by the conspirators and the plot was executed.
The EFCC waded in following a petition from the bank, alleging suspicious dissipation of monies in the deceased account into the accounts of family members and acquaintances, from where they were diverted to personal use.
Investigation revealed that on June 19, 2019, Victor Okon connived with George Ifiok Utibe (at large) and received the sum of N1,500, 000. Daniel Akpan also benefited the sum of N1,040,000 while Godwin Mbuk benefited N130,000.
The judge ordered the convicts remanded at the Nigerian correctional facility until they pay their fines, while Victor was remanded at the commission’s detention facility pending the hearing of his bail application.
KanyiDaily had also reported how a man was seen in a viral photo lying in a grave he dug due to incomplete payment by the family of the deceased.
