Accountant in court over alleged N14m fraud, gets N1m bail

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April 4, 2017 4:54 PM

While working with Platinum Mortgage Bank, Asokoro, Abuja, he collected over N14 million from customers.

Court gavel

An FCT High Court, Kubwa, on Tuesday, admitted a 45-year-old banker, Cecilia Chikaodili, docked for alleged N14 million fraud, to bail in the sum of N1 million.

The judge, Justice Kezziah Ogbonnaya, ordered that the defendant must provide two sureties in like sum, who must own landed properties within the court’s jurisdiction.

The judge adjourned hearing in the matter till May 10.

The defendant, a resident of Lugbe, a suburb within the FCT, is facing a five-count-charge bordering on fraud and criminal breach of trust.

In the suit, filed by the Police, Chikaodili, while working with Platinum Mortgage Bank, Asokoro, Abuja, sometime in 2013 to 2014, collected over N14 million from customers.

This, the defendant allegedly did under the pretence to help the customers process housing mortgage with the bank. She diverted the money for her personal use.

Earlier, Mr Gabriel Okpata, counsel to the defendant applied for her bail, pleading that she would not jump bail.

However, the prosecuting counsel, Mr Simon Lough, opposed the bail application, noting that the defendant had earlier jumped bail sometime in January when she was granted an administrative bail.

According to him, granting the bail application would drag the case back.

The offence contravened the provisions of Section 1 (3) of the Advance Free Fraud and other Offences Act, 2006 and also contrary to Sections 324 and 315 of the Penal Code.

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