Access Bank MD Herbert Wigwe faces N2.6bn criminal charge

The Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Nigeria Police Force, Milverton Ikoyi-Lagos, has preferred N2.6 billion fraud charge against Mr. Herbert Wigwe, MD/CEO of Access Bank Plc, his bank and two others before an Ogun State High Court, Sagamu, on 21-count criminal charge.

Wigwe and Access Bank Plc, are facing five count charge alongside Alawode Oluseye, 41, and Bayo Adesina before Justice N. I. Agbelu of Ogun state high court in Sagamu.

The allegations borders on conspiracy, fraudulent disposal of trust property, fraudulent conversion, stealing and false representation.

SFU in the charge marked HCS/010/19 alleged the Access Bank boss and others, sometimes on June 2017, at the premises on Metal Africa Steel Products Limited, Kilometer 16, Ikorodu/Sagamu road, Ewe Jagun, Ogun State, conspired among themselves to have alleged to have unlawfully effected the selling of 23, 754.413 metric tonnes of Steel Billets, belonging to BMCE Bank International Plc  company for N2,572, 500, billion, to Africa Steel Products Limited.

Wigwe and others defendants were also alleged to have obtained the sum of N2,572,500 billion, from Africa Steel Mills Limited, by false representation that they were the owner of the said Steel Billets.

SFU also alleged that Wigwe and other defendants in 2017, forged Bill of Ladings number: MJINLOS150007’1A’;  MJINLOS150007 ‘1B’; MJINLOS150007 ‘1C’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2A’;  MJINLOS150007’2B’;  MJINLOS150007 ‘2C’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2C’;  MJINLOS150007 ‘2D’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2E’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2F’;  MJINLOS150007 ‘2G’;  MJINLOS150007 ‘2H’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2I’;  MJINLOS150007 ‘2J’; MJINLOS150007 ‘2k’; MJINLOS150007’2L’ andMJINLOS150007’2M’, which they claimed were issued on January 9, 2016.The offences according to the Police prosecutor, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) E. Jackson are contrary to and punishable under Sections 518(6), 434, 383(1)(f) and 390(9), 516 and 464 and 467 of the criminal Code of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.

The offence is also said to have contravened Section 1(1)(a) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related offences Act No. 14 of 2006.

During their arraignment, it was only one defendant that was present in court, who pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

However, lawyer to the defendants, Edoka Dox Onyeke, informed the court that his clients are exploring means of settling the matter with the complainant out of court.

READ: EFCC arraigns Ecobank staff for $50,000, N9.2m fraud

Consequently, Mr Onyeke pleaded with the court for a short adjournment. The matter was then adjourned for report of settlement.

Access Bank and Herbert Wigwe’s charge sheet

STATEMENT 0F OFFENCE..1st Count Conspiracy to effect an unlawful purpose, to wit: an unlawful sale of Steel Billets property of BMCE BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC, contrary to Section 518 (6) of the Criminal Code of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006. PARTICULARS 0F OFFENCE ‘That you HERBERT WIGWE ‘M’, ALAWODE OLUSEYE ‘M’, BAYO ADESINA ‘M’ AND ACCESS BANK PLC on 22 day of June, 2017, at the premises at Met Africa Steel Products Limited, Km 16, IkorodulSagamu Road, Ewe Jagun, Ogun State, Within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired among yourselves to effect  unlawful purpose to wit: the unlawful and unauthorised sale of 754.413 metnc tonnes of Stee| Billets, property of BMCE BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC without Its permission or consent. 
STATEMENT 0F OFFENCE…..2nd COUNT Fraudulent Disposal of Trust Property, contrary to Section 434 of the Criminal of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006. PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE That you Herbert Wigwe ‘M’, Alawode Oluseye ‘M’, Bayo Adesina, ‘M’ and access BANK PLC on 22nd day of June, 2017, at the muses d m African Steel Products Limited, Km 16, Ikorodu/Sagamu Road, Jagun, Ogun State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud converted 23,754.413 metric tonnes of Steel Billets property of BMCE Bank International Plc, to your own use and unlawfully sold same without the authority of BMCE International Bank Plc.

STATEMENT OF 0FFENCE…3rd Count Stealing of Money, contrary to Sections 383 (1)(f) and 390 (9) of the Criminal  Code of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2005. ‘ Particulars of offence: “that you Herbert Wigwe, ‘M’, Alawode Oluseye ‘M’, Bayo Adesina, and Access Bank Plc, sometimes in June, 2017, in Ogun State, within the jurisdictions of this honourable court, Unlawfully sold 23, 754.413 metric tonnes Steel Billets, property of BMCE Bank International Plc to African Steel Mills Nigeria Limited for N2,572,500,000.00 and fraudulently converted me money to your own use and benefit. Statements of offence … 4th Count: Conspiracy to commit a felony to wit: stealing of 23,754.413 metric tonnes of Steel Billets, property of BMCE Bank International Plc, contrary to Seam 516 the Criminal Code of Ogun State, 2006. Particulars Of Offence That you Herbert Wigwe, ‘M’ Alawode  Oluseye ‘M’, Bayo Adesina, and Access Bank Plc, between 2016 and 2017, at Ewe Jagun, Ogun State, Within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired among yourselves to sell 23,754.41 metric tonnes of Steel billets property of BMCE Bank International Plc.