The Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), has dragged Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Plc and two others before a Federal High Court, Lagos, over alleged $667,000, fraudulently lodged with the bank.
Others joined with GTB Plc in a suit marked FHC/L/CS/586/2020, are: Albert Austine Ugochukwu and a limited liability company, Tasmara Integrated Services Limited.
GTB Plc and others were brought before the court presided over by Justice Ayokunle Faji, by PSFU in a motion exparte, pursuant to section 6(6)(b), (2)(k) of the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended); Executive Order 6, 2018, Section 4 of Police Act, 2004, section 13(1) Federal High Court Act, 2004.
And Section 13(1) of money laundering and prohibition Act 2011(as amended in 2012), Order 26(6-10), 28(1)(1-3),(2)(1-6) 30(A) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure Rule) 2019: Section 16(1)(A)(B) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other fraud related offences Act, 2006 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.
In moving the motion exparte, affidavit in support and written address, today, PSFU’s Head Legal, Mr. Emmanuel Jackson, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) leading J. I. Enang, asked the court for an order restraining GTB Plc from posting any debt or allowing the bank to make any drawings or permitting any drawing on 35 accounts which were used to perpetrate the alleged fraud by some customers, pending conclusion of investigation on the accounts by the police.
PSFU also asked the court to direct GTB Plc to order the account officers of the said 35 accounts being investigated to come for interviews with the Commissioner of Police in-charge of PSFU and to also furnish the Unit with the Certified True Copy (CTC) of some documents on the said 35 accounts.
These documents include: Statement of Account from January 1, 2018 till date; names and addresses of signatories to the accounts; photocopies on the Mandate Cards; Bank Verification Number linked to the accounts and Certificate of Computer printout in compliance with Section 84 of the Evidence Act.
CSP Jackson said the documents sought for is necessary, as it will allow the police to carry on with investigation of certain monies totaling $667, 000, fraudulently obtained by false pretence by the bank’s customers.
He also told the court that the order sought for will also prevent the bank from lifting any restrictions placed or will be placed on the said 35 accounts.
The account numbers which SPFU sought the order against GTB Plc are: 205/153068; 228/678179; 402/649701; 220/876518; 224/980764; 220/877573; 220/877598; 220/885941: 209/822101; 209/823832; 246/296004; 246/297322; 265/231545: 265/231511.
Others are; 265/229254; 246/340436; 265/231542; 265/231625; 220/885852, 209/839097; 214/8682312; 220/886856; 220/886871; 220/886875; 246/340330; 246/344649; 251/292171; 251/292201; 265/231490; 220/886879; 220/886839; 220/886802; 251/292261; 265/231474 and 220/886811.
PSFU in an affidavit attached with the motion ex parte and deposed by one of its investigators Shaibu Friday, said that he was directed by the Commissioner of Police to investigate a case of obtaining the sum of $667,000 and money laundering based a petition dated March 26, 2020.
Adding that the petition was written by one Segun Fadahunsi, General Manager and Lanre Kasim, Senior Manager both of Guaranty Trust Bank Headquarters, Lagos, against one Albert Austin Ugochukwu former staff of GTB Plc, of obtaining the sum of $667, 000, using a company known as Tasmara Integrated Services Limited to open about 35 different accounts number which were used by him to launder money.
It stated that the funds they are investigating are proceeds of fraud and stand the risk of being dissipated by the suspect unless the court restrains GTB Plc from posting debit or allowing withdrawals from the said accounts under investigation pending the conclusion of police investigation, adding that, it will be in the interest of justice to grant this application.
Justice Faji, after listening to the submissions made by CSP Jackson ruled that: “I’m satisfied with the submissions of the applicant’s counsel. The order sought for is to preserve the investigation.
“The orders are hereby granted as prayed”.
