Here is a lesson for those who make their phones and laptops available to other people – including relatives!
A 44-year-old man, Joseph Ekpeyong, on Thursday appeared before a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, accused of fraudulently withdrawing N4.6 million from his uncle’s bank account.
The defendant, who is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and theft, however, pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Insp. Ajaga Agboko told the court that the defendant committed the offences between May and August in Lagos Island.
He said that the defendant, a nephew to the complainant, Mr Kieren Ekpeyong, saw his uncle’s money transfer code on the laptop that he gave to him and used it to access his bank account.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, he added that the defendant made several withdrawals totalling N4.6 million from the account without his uncle’s consent.
“The defendant’s uncle forgot to wipe his money transfer code off the system he gave his nephew.
“When he started getting debit alerts, he went to complain at his bank and the withdrawals were traced to his nephew,” the prosecutor told the court.
Agboko said that the offences contravened Sections 287 (1), 314 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
Section 287 carries three years imprisonment for theft, 314 prescribes 15 years imprisonment for fraud while 411 stipulates two years imprisonment for conspiracy.
The Magistrate, Mr T. A. Anjorin-Ajose granted the defendant N1 million bail with two sureties in like sum.
He said that the sureties must tender evidence of three years tax payment and evidence of landed property in Lagos State.
Anjorin-Ajose adjourned the case until Nov. 25, for hearing.
