By Our Reporter
The Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Nigeria Police Force, Milverton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, has dragged Mr. Herbert Wigwe, managing director and chief executive officer of Access Bank Plc, his bank and two others before an Ogun State High Court, Sagamu, over a N2.5billion fraud.
Wigwe and Access Bank Plc are facing five count charges alongside 41-year-old Alawode Oluseye and Bayo Adesina before Justice N. I. Agbelu. They were docked for conspiracy, fraudulent disposal of trust property, fraudulent conversion, stealing and false representation.
SFU in the charge marked HCS/010/19 alleged that the Access Bank boss and others, sometimes in June 2017, at the premises of Metal Africa Steel Products Limited, Kilometer 16, Ikorodu/Sagamu Road, Ewe Jagun, Ogun State, conspired unlawfully and effected the sale of 23, 754.413 metric tonnes of Steel Billets, belonging to BMCE Bank International Plc for N2,572,500,000 to Metal Africa Steel Products Limited.
Wigwe and others defendants were also alleged to have obtained the sun of N2,572,500,000 from Metal Africa Steel Products Limited, by false representation that they were the owner of the said Steel Billets.
SFU also alleged that Wigwe and other defendants in 2017, forged Bill of Ladings number: MJINLOS150007’1A’; MJINLOS150007 ‘1B’; MJINLOS150007 ‘1C’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2A’; MJINLOS150007’2B’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2C’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2C’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2D’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2E’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2F’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2G’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2H’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2I’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2J’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2k’; MJINLOS150007’2L’ andMJINLOS150007’2M’, which they claimed were issued on January 9, 2016.
The offences according to the prosecutor, E. Jackson, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) are contrary to and punishable under Sections 518(6), 434, 383(1)(f) and 390(9), 516 and 464 and 467 of the Criminal Code of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.
The offence is also said to have contravened Section 1(1) (a) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related offences Act No. 14 of 2006.
During their arraignment, the only defendant present in court pleaded not guilty to all the charges. However, lawyer to the defendants, Edoka Dox Onyeke, informed the court that his clients were exploring means of settling the matter with the complainant out of court.
Consequently, he pleaded with the court for a short adjournment. The matter was then adjourned for report of settlement.