The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended two former Union Bank employees in Makurdi on charges of embezzling N4,199,500 from a deceased customer’s account.
EFCC Spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the arrests in a statement released Saturday in Abuja. The suspects, Idah Ogoh and Agbo Okwute, were detained on Friday in Makurdi, Benue State.
The arrests followed a complaint lodged by Union Bank regarding unauthorized withdrawals from the account of the late Emmanuel Azer Agenna. The fraudulent activities were discovered when Agenna’s family contacted the bank to inquire about the account balance for probate proceedings. Discrepancies in the balance prompted the family to file a complaint about unauthorized debits.
An internal investigation by Union Bank revealed that a debit card was issued for Agenna’s account on May 10, 2023. The card was procured by Idah Ogoh, a Sales and Service Associate, and authorized by the bank on the same date. Ogoh then handed the card to another associate, Agbo Okwute, who subsequently gave it to an accomplice to facilitate the unauthorized transfers and withdrawals.
The EFCC stated that the suspects would be prosecuted once the investigation is concluded.