Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos has granted N20 million bail to two Keystone Bank staff members, Ebele Okpala and Perpetua Onyeto, who are accused of obtaining N35 million through fraudulent means.
The court made the decision on Monday after hearing their bail application.
Okpala and Onyeto were charged by the Police Special Fraud Unit in Lagos on August 30, 2024, facing five counts of conspiracy, stealing, money laundering, and obtaining by false pretence. The charges relate to their alleged actions in July 2023.
The prosecution, led by Chief Superintendent of Police Eliot Ejie, explained that Okpala, in cooperation with Onyeto, who worked at a Keystone Bank branch in Anambra State, fraudulently removed a lien on a customer’s account. The funds were then transferred to Okpala’s account number 1000234952, which is also held at Keystone Bank.
“These offences contravene Sections 1(1)(c) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and are punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act,” CSP Ejie told the court. He also noted that their actions violated Sections 516 and 383 (1) of the Criminal Code Act LFN 2004, as well as Sections 21(a) and 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Their counsel argued for bail, which was strongly opposed by the prosecution. After hearing both sides, Justice Dipeolu granted each defendant bail of N10 million with two sureties each.
“One of the sureties must own landed property within the court’s jurisdiction, while the second surety must be a Grade Level 16 officer in either Lagos or Federal Government establishment,” the judge ordered.
The case has been adjourned until November 6, 2024, for trial.
