The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office, Friday June 8, 2018 arraigned one Mrs. Aderonke Abimbola before Hon. Justice A. N. Akintola of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, on a 6-count charge bordering on obtaining under false pretense.
She however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against her.
In view of Abimbola’s plea, prosecution counsel Harrison Ibekwute prayed the court for a trial date. However, defense counsel, Oluwatosin Salawu informed the court that she has an application dated and filed 7th June, 2018 seeking the defendants bail.
Justice Akintola however, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N250, 000. 00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) only and one surety in like sum, preferably her husband. The surety who must be resident within jurisdiction shall swear to an affidavit of means.
The address of the surety shall also to be verified by the Chief Registrar of the Court. The surety shall present three years tax clearance certificate.
Meanwhile, the defendant shall be remanded at the Federal Prison, Agodi, pending the perfection of her bail application.
The case is adjourned to 24 September, 2018 for trial. .
Abimbola’s journey to the dock followed a petition to the Commission from a Community Savings Scheme (name withheld) alleging that the defendant, whilst an employee of the company, manipulated the accounts of customers and made withdrawals of over N600, 000 (Six Hundred Thousand Naira) only and diverted same to her private use. However, all efforts made by the petitioner to get the money back failed.
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One of the counts reads: “That you, Aderonke Abimbola, in 2017, while acting in your capacity as a servant of Gracious Grace Investments (Nigeria) Limited, in Ibadan, Oyo State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, Obtained the sum of One Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira (N140, 000.00), from Gracious Grace Investments (Nigeria) Limited, Ibadan by means of fraudulent trick, by using the credit card of Bidemi Adelugba, a customer of your employer, to apply for overdraft and thereby committed an offence”.