Benue: EFCC arrests two former bankers for stealing deceased customer’s money

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Makurdi Zonal Command, have arrested two former staff of Union Bank in Makurdi 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 Head of Public Affairs, EFCC Zonal Command Makurdi, Kassim Yahaya, disclosed this in a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Sunday.

He said the suspects, Idah Ogoh and Agbo Okwute were arrested on Friday, June 21, 2024 in Makurdi, Benue State.

According to the statement, the suspects were arrested following a petition against them by the bank on fraudulent debits on a deceased customer, Emmanuel Azer Agenna’s account.

“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 unauthorized 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 authorized by the bank on the same date.”

He stated that further findings by the bank showed that the procured card by Ogoh was handed over to another Sales and Service Associates, Agbo Okwute who eventually delivered the card to an accomplice for transfer and withdrawal of funds from the account of the deceased.

He also said that several withdrawals were allegedly made by the suspects through the accomplice.

Yahaya said the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.