The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former bank employee, Obinna Nwaobi, before the Federal High Court in Enugu over the alleged diversion of $510,000 belonging to a customer.
Nwaobi appeared before Justice C.O. Ajah on a seven-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, fraudulent conversion, and stealing.
According to the EFCC, the defendant allegedly exploited his role as a banking officer to unlawfully divert funds entrusted to him for management and investment.
Court documents state that Nwaobi received $510,000 from a customer under the pretext of helping to grow the funds but instead allegedly channelled the money into personal use.
The offences, the Commission said, contravene Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act 2006 and Sections 342 and 343 of the Criminal Code Law of Enugu State.
Investigators disclosed that the suspected fraud was detected after the new generation bank where Nwaobi previously worked noticed unusual transfers traced to him.
An internal audit reportedly confirmed discrepancies, prompting the bank to alert the EFCC, which subsequently launched a detailed probe leading to the arraignment.
A senior compliance officer of the bank noted that strengthened internal surveillance systems aided the early detection of the suspicious transactions.
He added that the bank continues to invest in advanced anti-fraud tools capable of tracking unusual financial activities in real time.
According to him, the bank is committed to sanitising the financial sector by ensuring that erring staff are identified and handed over for prosecution.
The bank reaffirmed its partnership with law-enforcement agencies to safeguard customer deposits and bolster public confidence in the banking system.
Nwaobi, however, pleaded not guilty to all seven counts when the charges were read to him.
Following the plea, the prosecution counsel applied for a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendant.
Justice Ajah granted the request, ordering that Nwaobi be remanded at the Enugu State Correctional Facility pending the hearing of his bail application.
The matter was thereafter adjourned for further proceedings.
