It was excessive drama on the Lagos Special Offences Court, Ikeja, on Monday as Justice Rahman Oshodi refused to grant bail to Samuel Ihechukwu Asiegbu, a employees of WEMA Bank Plc, accused of masterminding an audacious fraud of N8.568 billion towards the {bank}.
While six of his accomplices, Ejim Kingsley Kelechi, Onyeimachi Fabian, Hamzat Zakariya, Achonu Chukwuka Ubaka, Sunday Osademe and Nurudeen Ibrahim who pleaded responsible secured bail on strict circumstances, Asiegbu’s destiny took a special flip.
Justice Oshodi dominated that the proof towards the {bank} official was “weighty,” elevating fears that he may abscond if launched.
The seven defendants are standing trial for conspiracy, unauthorized entry to the {bank}’s laptop system, and the theft of billions from WEMA Bank Plc.
In a twist, the courtroom heard that 4 of the accused, together with Asiegbu, had utilized for plea bargains with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), although solely three purposes have thus far been permitted.
Granting bail to the opposite defendants within the sum of N50 million every, Justice Oshodi ordered them to give up their worldwide passports, present tax data for 3 years, and current sureties whose {bank} accounts may very well be flagged as much as the bail sum pending trial.
He held: “The second, fourth, and sixth defendants, being holders of legitimate worldwide passports, shall give up the identical to the chief registrar of this courtroom.
“The third, fifth, and seventh defendants, not possessing legitimate worldwide passports, shall present written endeavor to not apply for or acquire any journey doc with out the prior go away of this courtroom, and with out the dependency of this courtroom.
“The courtroom registrar shall notify the Nigeria Immigration Service of the submission of the passport, and the circumstances requiring the endeavor, relying the willpower of this case.
The choose acknowledged additional that “All the sureties shall be placed in state shelter maintained by the Lagos State judiciary.”
He added, “These sureties shall produce proof of tax paid to Lagos State inside the final three years.
“These sureties shall signal an endeavor, consenting to the location of the debt on their {bank account} to the restrict of the due sum, pending the ultimate willpower of the case earlier than this courtroom.
“The Chief Registrar of this courtroom shall confirm all bail circumstances.
“The first defendant’s application for bail is refused,” the choose dominated, directing an accelerated listening to of the case.
The matter was adjourned till September 19, 2025, when the plea cut price agreements will likely be thought of.
