Ex-Wema Bank staff docked for stealing N70 million

By Ridwan Adekunle

A former employee of Wema Bank, Akinyele  Ogunpola, 40, was on Thursday docked in a Chief Magistrates’ Court, in Abeokuta, for allegedly stealing N70 million from his employer

The defendant is charged with conspiracy and theft.

Prosecution counsel, Inspector Olaide Rawlings, told the court that the defendant committed the offence in October 2021 at Wema Bank Oke-Ilewo in Abeokuta.

The court heard that the defendant with one other at large, conspired  and  stole N70 million belonging to Wema Bank.

Ms Rawlings explained that the defendant was an employee of the bank working in the marketing department, where loans are being disbursed to customers who apply for loans.

She said when customers apply for loans, the defendant would include additional money to the loan.

The offence, she said, contravenes sections 516 ,383(1) and 390(9)of the Criminal Code Vol.1 Law of Ogun 2006.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge filed against him.

The Magistrate, I.O Abudu, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety each in like sum.

Ms Abudu added that the surety must be a relative or a civil servant and must show evidence of tax payment to the Ogun government.

She thereafter adjourned the case until December 5 for hearing.