“Nwachukwu Placidus between February 2009 and November 2014
in Onitsha, Anambra State within the jurisdiction of the Anambra State High
Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud obtained the sum of (N112,100,000) One
Hundred and Twelve Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira only, from Idemili
Microfinance Bank under the false pretence that you have placed the said money
in a fixed deposit account with First City Monument Bank PLC for it, which
pretence you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence,” one of the
charges read.
The EFCC presented four witnesses and tendered several
relevant documents which were admitted in evidence.
Idemili Microfinance Bank LTD, the complainant, alleged that
Placidus was handed the funds as the branch manager of FCMB in Onitsha, for a
fixed deposit.
However, the microfinance bank said the FCMB branch in
Onitsha denied receiving the funds when it was time for withdrawal.
Delivering the judgement, S. N. Odili, the presiding judge,
held that “the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt” and
sentenced the convict to nine years imprisonment on count three, four years on
count four and nine years on counts five to 16 respectively.
The judge ordered Placidus to refund the N121 million
fraudulently obtained from Idemili Microfinance Bank.
He was discharged on counts one and two. The sentences shall run concurrently.
