EFCC arraigns Akingbola, wife today over graft

Details: Category: Law, Crime & Judiciary; Published on Wednesday, 04 May 2011 08:30; Written by Admin; Hits: 963

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained former Managing Director of Intercontinental Bank, Erastus Akingbola, his colleagues in Afribank and Finbank, Messrs Sebastine Adigwe and Okey Nwosu over alleged stealing of depositors’ funds running into billions of naira.

A statement by the anti-graft spokesman, Femi Babafemi, also said that eight other ex-executive directors of the three banks are equally being detained for interrogation over fresh information of stealing of depositors funds while they held sway at the named banks.

In his case, Akingbola is to be charged before a Lagos State High Court today along with his wife, Anthonia and another suspect, Bayo Dada for stealing over N47 billion from Intercontinental Bank.

The former MD of Intercontinental Bank Plc had, in a statement issued on his behalf by his counsel, Mr Charles Nwajagu, ruled out any intention to negotiate a plea bargain deal.

A plea bargain will allow him to forfeit some of the alleged stolen money in return for lesser punishment.

While accusing the EFCC and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) of denying him access to some relevant documents, the embattled former bank chief further denied writing any letter to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Minister of Justice to enter into a plea bargain over his court case. (Daily Trust)