3 JAILED FOR STEALING FROM SKYE BANK

The convicts

An Ikeja High Court has sentenced three men to two and a half years in prison for stealing N480,000 belonging to Skye Bank Plc.

It was learnt trouble started for the convicts, James Ettete, Ekene Jude and Abidemi Adesanya when the management of the bank petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over their fraudulent activities. They were operating as a syndicate of fraudsters, who specialised in stealing bankers’ identity, to enable them effect fraudulent wire transfers from unsuspecting and well-funded customers’ account.

They contacted some employees of the bank to join the syndicate. However, the staffers informed the bank and were asked to play along. They were later arrested by operatives of the EFCC.

The convicts were first arraigned in May 2014 on six counts bordering on conspiracy to commit felony, forgery and the use of false documents.

Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye found them guilty on all the counts and convicted them accordingly. The sentence is to run from the day of arraignment.

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the prison remand of a group of four alleged pipeline vandals and oil thieves.

The accused are Andrew Ishola, 35, Sunkanmi Aro, 27, Utuedor Micheal, 27, and Oladele Agbo, 35.

Their prison remand on Monday came after their arraignment before Justice Mohammed Yunusa.

They were charged with three counts relating to conspiracy, vandalism and unlawful dealing in petroleum products.

According to the charge sheet filed in court, the accused persons violated sections 3(1), 5, and 7 of the Miscellanous Offence Act, 2004.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Earlier, while filling the court in on the facts of the case, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Raymond Akhane, had told the court that the accused persons committed the offence sometime in November this year.

He said that they were apprehended by a team of policemen at the Majidun area of Ikorodu in Lagos, on a tip-off.

According to the prosecutor, the accused allegedly tampered with the free flow of refined petroleum products through an oil pipeline in the locality, and engaged in illegal sale of the products.

Meanwhile, the counsel for the accused persons, Mr. McAnthony Akhariale, had pleaded with the court to admit them to bail in liberal terms.

Justice Yunusa consequently admitted them to bail in the sum of N1m each, with two sureties each in like sum.

The judge, however, ordered their remand pending the fulfillment of the bail conditions.