Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested two former staff of Unions bank for allegedly diverting N4,199,500 from the account of a deceased customer.
The suspects, Idah Ogoh and Agbo Okwute, were detained yesterday by the EFCC’s Makurdi Zonal Command. The arrest came after the bank lodged a complaint, triggered by a discrepancy noticed by the family of the deceased, Emmanuel Azer Agenna, during probate proceedings.
According to the bank’s internal investigation, a debit card was suspiciously issued for Agenna’s account on May 10, 2023, by Idah Ogoh, a Sales and Service Associate. This card was subsequently passed to Agbo Okwute, another Sales and Service Associate, who allegedly facilitated the fraudulent withdrawals through an accomplice.
The family’s probe into the account balance led to the discovery of unauthorized transactions, prompting the bank to delve deeper into the matter.
Findings revealed that multiple withdrawals had been executed using the procured card, significantly depleting the account’s funds.
The EFCC’s prompt action underscores its commitment to tackling corruption and financial malfeasance.
The suspects are set to face charges in court once investigations are finalized, ensuring they are held accountable for their actions.
Dele Oyewale, Head of Media & Publicity for the EFCC, confirmed the arrests and emphasized the agency’s ongoing efforts to safeguard financial integrity.
This incident serves as a stark reminder for financial institutions to maintain rigorous checks and balances to prevent internal fraud, especially involving vulnerable accounts such as those of deceased customers.
