EXPOSED: How bankers siphoned millions from dead customer’s account

Two bankers, Daniel Akpan Eno and Mbuk Idongesit, who diverted millions of naira from the account of a dead customer have been exposed.

According to investigation by detectives, one Utibe George hinted the duo about the death of Godfred Osso, owner of the account.

• PODCAST: How Internal Wranglings Threaten To Tear PDP Apart
• Sacking current NWC portends danger, Secondus warns PDP

George had reportedly said the deceased customer was his step-father and there was money they could get from his account.

Eno and Idongesit was said to have agreed to carry out the illegality.

According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the trio first carried out the illegal operation on May 23, 2021.

“On May 24, 2021, George concluded the deal with the convicts and also contacted a Teller (Victor Okon – the 3rd defendant) from another branch of the bank to ease access to the funds in the account of the deceased,” the EFCC said.

“A 50% sharing formula was agreed upon by the conspirators and the plot was executed.”

The commission said it waded in following a petition from the bank, which was not named.

According to the EFCC, different amounts were transferred from the deceased account into the accounts of family members and acquaintances, from where they were diverted to personal use.

“Investigation revealed that on June 19, 2019 Victor Okon connived with George Ifiok Utibe (at large) and received the sum of One Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N1, 500, 000.00).”

“Daniel Akpan also benefited the sum of One Million and Forty Thousand Naira (N1, 040, 000.00) while Godwin Mbuk benefited the sum of One Hundred and Thirty Thousand Naira (N130, 000.00) only.”

Justice Edem Ita Kufre of the Cross River State High Court, Calabar, subsequently convicted them for conspiracy and theft of funds.

The duo were convicted on Wednesday, August 4, 2021 after pleading guilty to separate one-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy and fraudulent transfers.

A third defendant, and alleged accomplice, Victor John Okon pleaded “not guilty”.

His trial was adjourned till August 10, 2021 for consideration of bail application.

Justice Kufre convicted and sentenced Akpan to three months imprisonment with an option of fine of Fifty Thousand Naira (N50, 000.00), while Idongesit was sentenced to three months imprisonment with an option of Thirty Thousand Naira (N30, 000.00) fine.

The judge ordered the convicts remanded at the Nigerian Correctional facility until they pay their fines, while Victor was remanded at the Commission’s detention facility pending the hearing of his bail application.