By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
An ex-banker Ali Kareem was on Monday arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice (Prof) Chuka Obiozor of a Federal High Court Lagos, Nigeria over impersonation and fraud to the tune of N8.7 million.
The accused was charged on a three count charge bordering on conspiracy, impersonation and fraud.
After listening to the charge preferred against him, he pleaded not guilty to the three counts.
Having taken his plea, defence counsel, Mr Olatimihan Ogunbiyi, informed the court of his intention to file a bail application on behalf of the client, and sought for a short adjournment.
The prosecutor, Mr George Chia-yakua did not oppose his request.
Consequently, Justice Obiozor adjourned the case until November 5 for hearing and determination of the accused’s bail.
In the charge, the prosecution alleged that the accused committed the offence on May 2, 2008.
Ali Kareem was alleged to have conspired with other persons now at large, to fraudulently impersonate a Union Bank customer, Alexander Cherembem, in order to fraudulently facilitate the withdrawal of funds from his account.
The accused was further alleged to have processed the request for Union Mobile in respect of the said account, without obtaining proper Identity of the customer.
According to the prosecution, the accused impersonated the victim, in order to facilitate the withdrawal of about N8.7 million from his account through the Union Mobile platform.
According to the prosecution, the offences contravene the provisions of Sections 22, 22(2) and 37 of the Cyber Crimes Prohibition Act, 2015.
Meanwhile, the court ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody pending the hearing and determination of his bail.