Alhaja Banker Nabbed For Stealing N12M

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC) on Wednesday October 23, 2013 arraigned
a banker, Yagana Ibrahim Bukar before Justice
Fatu Riman of the Federal High Court Kano on 10-
count charge bordering on money laundering and
theft. The accused is said to have abused her position as
account officer at Sky Bank Plc and stole N12, 626,
250 of depositors’fund. She allegedly perpetrated
the scam by posting the sum into three Sky Bank
accounts owned by her family members- Hajja
Fanna, her sister; Grema Ibrahim Bukar, her brother and her child, Ummu Kulthum. In order to conceal the illicit origin of the cash, the
accused allegedly used part of the money to open
a provision store in the Kawo area of Kano
Metropolis. One of many charges read; “that you Yagana
Ibrahim Bukar on or around 15th August 2011 in
Kano within the jurisdiction of the Federal High
Court converted the sum N1, 166, 920 (One Million
One Hundred and Sixty Six Thousand Nine
Hundred and Twenty Naira Only) derived directly from participation in theft by depositing the said
amount to the Sky Bank account of Hajja Fanna
with the aim of concealing the illicit origin of the
resources and thereby committed an offence
punishable under section 15(1)(a)(ii) of the Money
Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges. In view of the plea of the accused, the prosecution
counsel, Nasiru Salele told the court to proceed
with the trial, adding that his witnesses were
prepared to testify. However the defense counsel, Ma’aruf Yakasai
pleaded with the court to admit his client to bail. Justice Riman adjourned the case to October 25,
2013 for ruling on bail application and fixed
Monday October 28, 2013 for continuation of
hearing.