Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have nabbed two former bankers for allegedly stealing money belonging to a deceased customer.

EFCC’s spokesman Dele Oyewale said the agency’s operatives in the Markurdi Zonal Command arrested the suspects for allegedly stealing N4,199,500 belonging to a deceased customer.

“The suspects, Idah Ogoh and Agbo Okwute were arrested on Friday, June 21, 2024, in Makurdi, Benue State,” Oyewale said in a Saturday statement.

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“Their arrest followed a petition against them by the bank on fraudulent debits on a deceased customer, Emmanuel Azer Agenna’s account. Their dealings were uncovered when the family of the deceased approached the bank for the balance on the account of the deceased for probate processing. The family disputed the balance given to them by the bank and subsequently sent a complaint to the bank regarding unauthorised debits on the account.

“Based on their complaints, the bank carried out an internal investigation and its findings revealed that a debit card was procured on the deceased’s customer account on May 10, 2023, by Ifah Ogoh, one of the bank’s Sales and Service Associates which was authorised by the bank on the same date.

“Further findings by the bank showed that the procured card by Ogoh was handed over to another Sales and Service Associates, Agbo Omwute who eventually delivered the card to an accomplice for transfer and withdrawal of funds from the account of the deceased. Several withdrawals were allegedly made by the suspects through the accomplice.”

The anti-graft agency said the suspects would be charged to court after an investigation.

The Police in Ekiti State have arraigned three men before a Chief Magistrate Court, Ado Ekiti District for alleged possession of explosives.

The defendants – 46-year-old Adamu Abdullahi, 57-year-old Haruna Musa and 26-year-old Sanni Garba are facing a count charge of possession of explosives.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Akinwale Oriyomi told the court on Friday that the defendant committed the offence on June 5, in Ado Ekiti.

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The prosecutor alleged that “the defendants had in their possession three 32mm cartridges, detonating cord and firing cables.

“The offence contravened Section 1(c) and was punishable under Section 1(e) of the Explosive Act 1964 and Explosive Regulation 1967,” Oriyomi stated.

He urged the court to adjourn the case to enable him to study the file and assemble his witnesses.

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The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them.

Counsel to the defendants, Mr Ademola Richard, urged the court to grant the defendants bail, with a promise that they would not jump bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Olarewaju Owoleso, granted the defendant bail of N500,000 with one surety each in like sum.

The court adjourned the case till July 29, for a hearing.

Suspected bandits have kidnapped the parish priest of St. Raymond Catholic Church Damba, Gusau, Zamfara State, Revd. Fr. Mikah Suleiman.

The spokesperson of Zamfara State Police Command, Yazid Abubakar, said the priest was kidnapped around 3 am on Saturday at his residence in the Damba area of Gusau.

He noted that the incident was not reported to the police but the command has deployed a police tactical squad to the trail of the kidnappers and to ensure his safe return.

“Yes, the incident happened early hour of today, the Reverend Father was kidnapped in his residence, we were not informed when the incident happened but what I gathered was that the man stays alone not in the church,” he said.

“We have deployed our tactical squad to go after the kidnappers with the aim of rescuing the victim unhurt.”

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The acting Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Very. Revd. Fr. Nuhu Iliya in a statement called on the Christian faithful to pray for the quick and safe release of the cleric.

“With sadness in our hearts, we write to inform the general public of the kidnap of one of our priests, Revd. Fr. Mikah Suleiman. This sad event occurred in the early hours of today, Saturday, 22nd June 2024 in the Father’s rectory. Fr Mikah is the Parish Priest of St. Raymond Catholic Church Damba, Gusau, Zamfara State,” the statement reads.

“We invite all Christ’s faithful and all men and women of goodwill to earnestly pray for his quick and safe release.

“We equally commend him to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, for his speedy release from the hands of his abductors.”