The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Thursday arraigned one Irene Okeoha before Justice S. C. Amadi of the State High Court, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State on a one-count charge of stealing to the tune of N8 million.
Okeoha, who is the Customer Service Manager of Ecobank Plc, Hotel Presidential branch, allegedly defrauded the bank of the money.
The charge reads: “That you, Mrs. Irene Okeoha on or about 17th February, 2016 at Hotel Presidential Port Harcourt, within the Port Harcourt Division of this Honorable Court did fraudulently steal the sum of Eight Million Naira (N8, 000, 000. 00) only, property of Ecobank Plc and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code CAP 37 Vol. 11 Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1999.”
When the charge was read to Okeoha, she pleaded not guilty.
In view of her plea, the prosecution counsel, Ben Ubi, urged the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial and to remand the defendant in prison custody.
However, the defence counsel, B. Igeongei, prayed the court to grant his client bail as the accused was already on administrative bail by the EFCC.
Justice Amadi granted the defendant bail in the sum of N20 million and one surety in the like sum.
The surety, who must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court, should possess a landed property to be verified by the prosecution.
The Surety is also to depose to an affidavit of means.
Justice Amadi adjourned the case to May 25, 2016 for trial and ordered that the defendant to be remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of her bail.
