The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the duo of Idakwoji Cyril Ameh and Oboma Chisolm, formerly of Access Bank, before Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for allegedly stealing N36,186, 012 belonging to a customer of the bank.

They were arraigned on Friday on a twelve- count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, uttering and stealing. The defendants pleaded not guilty.

In view of their plea, prosecution counsel, N.T Iko prayed the court to grant him a date for the commencement of trial and also prayed that the defendants be remanded in prison custody.

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Responding, counsel to the 1st defendant, Abiye Atorudibo prayed that the court grant him a short date to enable him file an application for bail formally. Counsel to the 2nd defendant, H.D Ibrahim also aligned with Atorudibo.

Justice Muhammed adjourned the matter to 22 and 24 November, 2017 for argumemts on bail and ordered that the defendants be remanded in prison custody.

Troubles came for Ameh, a former marketer with Access Bank, when he allegedly connived with his colleague, Chisolm to swindle Jephthah International School, Port Harcourt of Thirty Six Million, One Hundred and Eighty-Six Thousand, Twelve Naira only (N36, 186, 012, 00) and diverted same for their private uses.

They were said to have been exposed when the cheques of the school could not be honoured for several days.

When the matter was reported to the bank to find out what was going on, its Compliance Officer brought a complaint to the EFCC.

According to the EFCC, investigations showed that, at every resumption of the school, Ameh would visit the school and collect school fees paid in cash and cheque by parents, and issued deposit slips to the school.

Investigations further showed that he was only lodging the cheques but allegedly diverting the cash collected for his personal use. Besides, he was said to be always issuing doctored Statements of Account to the school in a bid to cover up his nefarious actions

The defendant, who was also the Account Officer to Province 4 and Region 5 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, according to investigation, allegedly forged letterheads of the church and the signature of the pastor in charge of the region in a bid to carry out his criminal activities.

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