The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought charges against three former staff members of Access Bank and one other individual for their alleged involvement in the embezzlement of N15,944,100 from the bank.

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The suspects, identified as Ogbu Kingsley Ibekwem, Nwagbara Chidimma, Uwaezuoke Raymond, and Chidubem Angela Mgbeke, are accused of misappropriating the aforementioned sum before it was scheduled to be transferred to the bullion unit of the bank for onward delivery to the Central Bank.

According to a statement by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the suspects were handed over to the anti-graft agency by the Nottidge branch of Access Bank in Onitsha, Anambra State.

Appearing before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court in Enugu State, the defendants were arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Ogbu Kingsley Ibekwe, and Chidubem Angela Mgbeke sometimes in January 2023 in Onitsha, Anambra State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit, retaining the sum of N7,996,800.00 meant for evacuation to the Central Bank of Nigeria and property of Access Bank Plc Nottidge Branch, Onitsha which you knew or ought to have known to be proceeds of an unlawful act…”

The defendants entered a plea of “not guilty” to the charges. Consequently, the EFCC’s counsel, Ahmad Yusuf Abdullahi, requested a trial date and for the defendants to be remanded at Enugu State correctional facility.

Justice Umar adjourned the matter until May 22, 2024, for trial and remanded the defendants in EFCC custody pending the hearing of their bail application.