A bank manager in one of the branches of First Bank in Osogbo, Mr Adeniyi Talabi, has been arrested by the Osun State Police Command on Tuesday for allegedly stealing a sum of N650m belonging to 35 bank customers.

The command spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, claimed that the suspect perpetrated the fraud by obtaining the amount under pretense from the victims and stealing the amount through an illegal transaction called proof of funds.

The spokesperson stated that an investigation had been launched into the case and that the bank had suspended the suspect.

She also said Talabi and his accomplices would be charged in court upon completion of an investigation.

The statement partly read, “The Osun State Police Command, in its efforts to rid off criminal elements from the state, has arrested a serial fraudster, one Adeniyi Sunday Talabi, ‘m’ 47 years, a resident of Army Barracks Area, Kelebe, Iragbiji Road, Osogbo, a manager in one of the First Bank PLC branches in Osogbo for an offense of fraud, Obtaining money under pretense (OBT), Conversion and Stealing amounting to the sum of N650, 850,000 in an illegal product called PROOF of FUNDS which involved a total number of 35 victims (people).

“It is worth noting that the suspect has been suspended by the First Bank Nigeria Plc, his former employer. Investigation into the case has since commenced, and the suspect and his accomplices will be charged to court upon completing the investigation.”

Opalola said the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Umar, re-assured residents of the command’s commitment to rid the state of criminal elements and warned perpetrators of crimes that Osun would not be a haven or a hibernating ground for them.