By Damilare Adeleye
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested two former staff of Union Bank in Makurdi, Benue State capital, for allegedly stealing the sum of N4,199,500.00 (Four Million One Hundred and Ninety Nine Thousand Five Hundred Naira) belonging to a deceased customer of the bank.
The suspects identified as Idah Ogoh and Agbo Okwute were arrested on Friday, June 21, 2024 in the State capital.
Their arrest followed a petition against them by the bank on fraudulent debits on a deceased customer, Emmanuel Azer Agenna’s account.
According to the anti-graft agency, “Their dealings were uncovered when the family of the deceased approached the bank for the balance on the account of the deceased for probate processing. The family disputed the balance given to them by the bank and subsequently sent a complaint to the bank regarding unauthorised debits on the account.
“Based on their complaints, the bank carried out an internal investigation and its findings revealed that a debit card was procured on the deceased’s customer account on May 10, 2023 by Ifah Ogoh, one of the bank’s Sales and Service Associates which was authorised by the bank on the same date.
“Further findings by the bank showed that the procured card by Ogoh was handed over to another Sales and Service Associates, Agbo Omwute who eventually delivered the card to an accomplice for transfer and withdrawal of funds from the account of the deceased. Several withdrawals were allegedly made by the suspects through the accomplice
“The suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”