Nwachukwu Placidus, a former manager at a branch of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) in Onitsha, Anambra State, has been handed a cumulative 121-year prison sentence for misappropriating N112 million belonging to a customer.
Placidus’s arrest stemmed from a petition by Idemili Microfinance Bank LTD to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to the microfinance bank’s management, Placidus, while serving as the branch manager of FCMB in Onitsha, received N112 million for fixed deposit on behalf of a customer. However, when the customer approached FCMB to terminate and withdraw the deposit, the bank denied receiving the funds.
“The EFCC’s investigation revealed that the convict diverted the money for personal use and issued a counterfeit fixed Deposit Certificate to the petitioner,” said Dele Oyewale, spokesperson for the EFCC.
Subsequently, Placidus was charged on 16-counts, including forgery, stealing, obtaining by false pretense, and uttering, by the Enugu Zonal Command of the EFCC.
During the trial, the EFCC presented four witnesses and relevant documents, establishing beyond reasonable doubt Placidus’s guilt. Consequently, Justice S. N. Odili of the Anambra State High Court sentenced Placidus to various prison terms, totaling 121 years, with restitution ordered to Idemili Microfinance Bank.
Source: pmnewsnigeria.com
