Nsa Ayi, former Relationship Officer with Coronation Merchant Bank has been arrested and arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Mojisola Dada of a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja for fraudulent and false accounting to the tune of N700m.
Nsa Ayi, apprehended by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an attempt to flee
Ayi was said to have altered instructions and falsified signatures of customers to transfer money into different accounts outside the bank.
The EFCC arraigned Ayi on 11 counts of fraud, said the offences were contrary to Section 335(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.
The banker allegedly connived with unknown parties to move funds using customers’ electronic instructions meant for investment in the Federal Government of Nigeria Bonds, Treasury Bills and Fixed Deposits.
The money was allegedly transferred in parts into his Guaranty Trust Bank account, 0001600855, as well as his Zenith Bank account, 1002771899.
However, the banker pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him. In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Nnemeka Omewa, had asked the court for a trial date and also prayed the court to remand the banker in prison custody.
Meanwhile, the banker’s counsel, B.A. Ayeni, informed the court of a pending application for bail on behalf of his client.
Be that as it may, the prosecution counsel, Omewa, opposed the bail application, stating that… “he is a flight-risk who had plans to relocate with his entire family to the United States last year, if not for the timely response in arresting him by the EFCC.”
Furthermore, Omewa told the court that there was no document showing that the banker’s son was critically ill to warrant him being flown abroad for treatment… “My Lord, the defendant’s health is very much okay, as he was well fed in the EFCC custody.”
On hearing both parties, Justice Dada concluded that if the defendant’s son was truly ill and needed medical treatment abroad, he should not be pleading with the court to allow him travel out with his entire family only to treat his son… “I, therefore, conclude that the defendant is a flight-risk as put before the court by the prosecution. There is no guarantee of him coming back to Nigeria, if he had travelled out with his family, despite booking for return tickets.”
Meanwhile, the case has been adjourned by Justice Dada till March 6, 26, 29 and April 16 and 27, 2018 as the banker is remanded in Kirikiri prison pending the hearing of his bail application.