Mariam Isoje
A Federal High Court, in Lagos yesterday ordered the Branch Head of Providus Bank Plc, Mariam Isoje, to appear before the court to take her plea over alleged N144 million fraud.
Justice Yelim Bogoro made the order, after the prosecutor, Mr. Henry Obiaze, informed the court that the Providus Bank manager has flagrantly refused to appear before the court to take her plea, since the charge was file against her.
Mariam Isoje is being charged before the court alongside a Bureau De Change (BDC) Operator, Ibrahim Butali Abdulmumin, on a four count-charge of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, concealing proceeds of an unlawful activities and fraud of N144 million.
Both Mariam and Ibrahim were charged before the court by Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Ikoyi, Lagos.
Police in the charge marked FHC/L/221c/2022, both Mariam and Ibrahim were alleged to have conspired together and fraudulently obtained the sum of N144 million from their victims, under the pretence of exchanging the money to $250,000 USD, at N570, 00.
The Providus Bank manager, was particularly accused of concealing the proceeds of an unlawful activities of the sum of N60, 480, 000 million, derived directly from BDC Operator, Ibrahim.
The offences, according to the prosecutor contravened sections 8 (a) and 1(1) (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under the same Act.
The prosecutor had also told the court that the offences are contrary to and punishable under sections 18 (2)(b) and 20 (a)(b)of the Money (Prohibition) Act, 2022.
While the BDC Operator had taken his plea on the charges, the Providus Bank Plc’s manager, has not appeared in court.
However, the the resumed hearing of the suit, the prosecutor, Mr. Obiaze, informed the court that the banker, has refused to appear in court to take her plea.
He urged the court to issue bench warrant against her.
But lawyer to the banker, Onyekachi Asogwa, urged the court not to grant the prosecutor’s request, as his client has filed an application challenging the competence of the charge.
Following submissions of counsel to both parties, Justice Bogoro ruled that “the second defendant should submit herself to the jurisdiction of this court and take her plea on charges against her.
“If she failed, the court will issue a bench warrant against her.”
The judge consequently adjourned till February 16, 2023, for the banker’s arraignment.
