By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
Senior Correspondent
The police on Thursday (today) arraigned two close friends, Prince Eromonsele and Sylvester Odiana, before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court sitting in Lagos, over alleged attempt to fraudulently transfer the sum of N6 million into their own accounts.
The accused persons Eromonsele, 21 and Odiana, 34, who reside at Sango Otta area of Lagos respectively, were docked for trial on a three-count charge of conspiracy, forgery and fraud.
According to the Police Prosecutor, Cyriacus Osuji, the accused persons committed the alleged offences on January 23, at about 9:00 a.m at Skye Bank Plc, Otta branch, Lagos.
The prosecutor told the court that the duo forged the name and account number of a customer of the bank, one Mr Yussuf Akeem and attempted to transfer the said sum of N6 million into two different accounts in other banks.
“The accused forged Akeem’s account details, requesting that N3 million be transferred from Akeem’s account at Skye Bank Plc into Odiana’s account in Zenith bank.
“The duo also requested that the remaining N3 million be transferred into an Access bank account, owned by one of their friends, Justina Okhaifo.
“The intended fraudulent transaction was dictated before the cash could be transferred and the accused were however, arrested,” Osuji stated in court.
He said the offences contravened Sections 365 (1), 406 (1) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The accused persons however denied committing the offences.
Magistrate, A. T. Omoyele, granted them bail in the sum of N250, 000 each with two sureties each in like sum and cautioned that touts should not be used as sureties, adding that the sureties must be gainfully employed.
In addition, the sureties must show proof of employment and have their addresses verified by the court registrar.
Magistrate Omoyele adjourned the case till February 14 for mention.
