Heritage Bank manager arraigned over $50,000 fraud

Heritage Bank manager Fidel Omeje arraigned by EFCC for fraud

A former manager of Heritage Bank in Anambra State Fidel Omeje has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) one a count charge of stealing $50,000.

Omeje was arraigned by the Enugu Zonal office of the anti-graft agency before Justice D.A Onyefulu of State High Court, Onitsha on Thursday, October 8.

She was manager of Main Market Branch of the bank in Onitsha.

The offence according to the charge sheet is contrary to Section 342 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 36, Anambra State and punishable under Section 353 (6) and (9) of the same law.

It was alleged that Omeje, used her position as a manager of Heritage Bank and account officer of the complainant to withdraw the said sum from the domiciliary account of the complainant on July 20, 2011 without authorization and converted same to personal use.

The defendant pleaded not guilty upon arraignment, prompting the prosecuting counsel Mike Ani to request for a date for commencement of trial.

However, defence counsel, J.R. Nduka moved a motion for bail, saying the offence for which his client was charged was bailable.

Justice Onyefulu granted Omeje bail in the sum of N20million and a surety in like sum.

She ordered that the surety must have evidence of tax payment and landed property within the jurisdiction of the court and its document deposited with the registrar.

The surety must also swear to an affidavit of means and produce two passport photographs each of himself and the defendant.

The case has been adjourned to November 26 for trial.