The court trial of some Ibadan based bankers indicted over the theft of N8 billion worth of mutilated banknotes was yesterday told of the stupendous wealth of the suspects.
The suspects, including a self-acclaimed illiterate bank staff were alleged to have acquired petrol stations, shopping malls in Nigeria and abroad, exotic cars, supermarkets, among others.
Mr. Ayodeji Alase, one of the suspects and a holder of primary six certificate, was alleged to have acquired property including a duplex at Oluyole Estate in Ibadan, a shopping complex, warehouse at Podo, Challenge, a fenced plot at Dugbe in Ibadan, a block of four flats at Apeye, two plots of land and five-bedroom flat in other parts of the state capital.
He was alleged to have a credit balance of N132m in one of his bank accounts.
The commission also alleged that Alase possessed a block of five-bedroom flat at Apete area of Ibadan and a supermarket at New Garage, Apata area of Ibadan.
Other accused persons, including Olaniran Adeola, Ayodele Adeyemi, Isiaq Akano and others were also said to own property in South Africa, filling stations, cement shops, schools, supermarkets, exotic cars and buildings in several locations in Nigeria.
One of the accused, Mrs. Afolabi Olunike, was alleged to be the owner of a duplex, several plots of land, a storey building and another three acres of land.
Earlier during the hearing, Alase had delayed court proceedings when he claimed not to understand English Language when charges were read to him. But Jacob rose to fault his claim, alleging that although Alase was employed as a guard, he rose to become a cash assistant in First Bank Plc.
Justice Faaji later ruled that an interpreter should be provided for Alase to ease communication between the court and the accused. The interpreter initially secured, however, found the job difficult forcing the judge to screen another person for the job of interpretation. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
On Wednesday, cases were heard before Justice Faaji in batches with the first set of accused persons slammed with a 28-count charge.
They are Kolawole Babalola, Olaniran Adeola, Toogun Phillip, Ayodele Adeyemi, Isiaq Akano, Oyebamiji Akeem, Alase, Ajiwe Adegoke and Idowu Oguntade, who is still at large.
Three officials of the CBN were among the accused, while others were from Wema Bank Plc and First Bank Plc.
The prosecution counsel, Rotimi, told the court that the accused persons were charged with a 28-count charge which included forgery of documents, conspiracy and stealing.
According to the charge sheet, the accused persons were charged with intent to defraud and conspiracy to commit an offence punishable under the Nigerian law.
They were also accused of sharing among themselves mutilated currency meant to be destroyed and destroying and defacing some boxes used to move the currency from one bank to the other. They all pleaded not guilty to all the charges and despite efforts of the counsel to the accused persons to secure bail for them through oral application, Justice Faaji ruled that they should be remanded in prisons pending further hearing.
The case was adjourned to June 8, 2015 for hearing of the bail application.
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Posted: at 4-06-2015 06:53 AM (8 years ago) | Addicted Hero
PoliticxGuru at 4-06-2015 07:11 AM (8 years ago) (m)
abeg make una free dis clean hustlers jare, how much av dey stolen wey dem dey shout like dis, our so called politicians stole almost 70% of the Nigeria's wealth they were caught buh nothing was done abt it and dey go walking freely in our streets...... Failed Legislation, failed Judiciary and failed Lawmakers. rubbish
Posted: at 4-06-2015 07:11 AM (8 years ago) | Hero
nametalkam at 4-06-2015 08:02 AM (8 years ago) (m)
Wow! N134M in account, just breathing! Nigeria is truly the land of the hustlers, but easy come easy go. If these guys are small they just need to "play ball" all the prison warden and prosecuting officials are also after a slice of the pizza. they better give them their slice
I specialize in investigative reportage across several subject matter and sectors but mainly focus on metro events and investigation. Do leave your thoughts and opinion on my reports to let me know what you think about them. Thank you
Posted: at 4-06-2015 08:02 AM (8 years ago) | Addicted Hero
They have been there since independence looting this country from every where possible yet they call themselves saints and condemn other people and tribes. They do not like money but any ministry or parastatal they enter there will be fraud. They are the first to call someone else ole ole but when they are involved they know how to cover it up. Even people that they have marginalised and pushed into crime they still always want to pull them down by all means. If all tribes and region as well as individuals are treated equally in terms of ditribution of appointment and resources as well as developmental projects, if there is no quota system and marginalisation in job as well as all other opportunities................We will know how many genuine thieves we have in this country.
Posted: at 4-06-2015 11:20 AM (8 years ago) | Upcoming
fearlesspaul at 4-06-2015 12:03 PM (8 years ago) (m)
Mr. Ayodeji Alase, one of the suspects and a holder of primary six certificate. what was a primary school certiticate holder doing with Central bank abeg? can someone explain to me plz? And the same ppl are calling for GEJ's head. God please save us from that country called Nigeria. University graduates cannot get a job yet an ordinary primary school holder dey work for our central bank. what a shame. okay i got it, he used juju to get the job.
Posted: at 4-06-2015 12:03 PM (8 years ago) | Upcoming
fearlesspaul at 4-06-2015 12:04 PM (8 years ago) (m)
Quote from: jjiofor on 4-06-2015 11:20 AM
They have been there since independence looting this country from every where possible yet they call themselves saints and condemn other people and tribes. They do not like money but any ministry or parastatal they enter there will be fraud. They are the first to call someone else ole ole but when they are involved they know how to cover it up. Even people that they have marginalised and pushed into crime they still always want to pull them down by all means. If all tribes and region as well as individuals are treated equally in terms of ditribution of appointment and resources as well as developmental projects, if there is no quota system and marginalisation in job as well as all other opportunities................We will know how many genuine thieves we have in this country.
Bro, you have spoken it just the way it is.
Posted: at 4-06-2015 12:04 PM (8 years ago) | Upcoming