Nwachukwu Placidus, the former manager of the First City Monument Bank (FCMB) branch in Onitsha, has been handed a cumulative sentence of 121 years in prison for diverting fixed deposit funds belonging to a customer, totaling N112,100,000 (One Hundred and Twelve Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira).
The judgement was delivered by Justice S. N. Odili of the Anambra State High Court sitting in Onitsha on Friday, following Placidus’ arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on March 27, 2018.
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, disclosed this information in a statement said Placidus was arraigned on 16-count charges bordering on forgery, stealing, obtaining by false pretense, and uttering. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, leading to his trial.
“One of the counts reads: ‘Nwachukwu Placidus between February 2009 and November 2014 in Onitsha, Anambra State within the jurisdiction of the Anambra State High Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud obtained the sum of (N112,100,000) One Hundred and Twelve Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira only, from Idemili Microfinance Bank under the false pretence that you have placed the said money in a fixed deposit account with First City Monument Bank PLC for it, which pretence you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence,“ the statement read.
“He pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him, thus setting the stage for his trial.
“In the course of trial, the EFCC, through its counsel, Mainforce Adaka Ekwu presented four witnesses and tendered several relevant documents which were admitted in evidence.
“In his judgment, Justice Odili held that “the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt” and sentenced the convict to nine years imprisonment on count 3, 4 years on count 4 and 9 years on counts 5 to 16 respectively. He was discharged on counts 1 and 2. The sentences shall run concurrently.
“The court further ordered the convict to restitute the said sum to his victim, Idemili Microfinance Bank.
“Placidus ’journey to the Correctional Centre began when a petitioner, Idemili Microfinance Bank LTD, alleged that the sum of N112, 100, 000 was handed over to him as the branch manager of FCMB in Onitsha, for fixed deposit. However, when the petitioner approached the bank to terminate and withdraw the deposit, the bank denied receiving the said funds.
“Upon receipt of the petition, the EFCC swung into action and investigations revealed that the convict diverted the money for his own use and issued a fake fixed Deposit Certificate to the petitioner.”
