Court has declared Keystone Bank Staff wanted over alleged N35 million fraud.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has declared a Keystone Bank employee, Mrs. Ebele Bernadine Okpala, wanted over her alleged involvement in a N35 million fraud case.
Justice Deinde Dipeolu, who presided over the matter, also directed the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to arrest Okpala upon her return to Nigeria, following reports that she is currently outside the country.
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The order was granted after the court heard an ex parte motion marked FHC/L/530C/2024, filed by the Nigeria Police and argued by Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) M. Y. Bello.
In the suit, Okpala was listed as the first defendant, while another banker, Perpetual Onyeto, was named as the second defendant. The DSS, NIS, and NCS were joined as cited parties to assist in enforcing the court’s orders.
While moving the application, Bello informed the court that the motion was brought pursuant to relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and supported by an affidavit deposed to by Inspector Tope Akerele of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Ikoyi, Lagos.
After considering the application and the supporting affidavit, Justice Dipeolu held that the request was meritorious and granted all the reliefs sought by the prosecution.
The court ordered that Okpala be placed on the wanted list of the Nigeria Police Special Fraud Unit until she is apprehended.
Justice Dipeolu further directed the DSS, the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigeria Customs Service to assist in arresting the defendant upon her arrival in Nigeria.
The court also authorised the Nigeria Police Special Fraud Unit to publish her name and photograph in national newspapers and on social media platforms to facilitate her arrest.
The case stems from criminal charges earlier filed against Okpala and her co-defendant, Perpetual Onyeto, by the Police Special Fraud Unit.
The two bankers were arraigned before the Federal High Court in September 2024 on charges bordering on conspiracy, theft, money laundering, the alleged fraudulent removal of a lien placed on a customer’s bank account, and obtaining N35 million under false pretences.
The matter is expected to continue upon the arrest of the first defendant.
