Ex-banker Docked Over Alleged N8.7m Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arraigned a former banker, Ali Kareem before a Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged impersonation and N8.7 million fraud.
Kareem, who was docked before Justice Chuka Obiozor on three count charge of conspiracy, impersonation and fraud, was ordered to be kept in prison by the judge until the hearing and determination of his bail application.
The EFCC accused the former banker of committing the offences on May 2, 2008, in conspiracy with other persons still at large.
The commission alleged in the charge that, “Kareem fraudulently impersonated a Union Bank customer, Mr. Alexander Cherembem , to fraudulently facilitate withdrawal of N8 .7 m from his account through the Union Mobile app.”
The anti-graft agency further claimed that the accused person processed the withdrawal request without obtaining the proper identity of the customer.
The EFCC maintained that the alleged offences are contrary to sections 22, 22 (2 ) and 37 of the Cyber Crimes Prohibition Act, 2015.
Kareem pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The defence lawyer, Olatimihan Ogunbiyi , prayed for a short adjournment to enable him file his client’s bail application.
The request was not opposed to by the Prosecutor, George Chia-Yakua.
Based on the development, Justice Obiozor adjourned the case until November 5 for hearing of the bail application, and also remanded Kareem in prison pending outcome.
