EFCC Arrests Two Former Union Bank Employees for Stealing Deceased Customer’s Funds

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested two former Union Bank employees in Makurdi, Benue State, for allegedly embezzling N4,199,500 from a deceased customer’s account.

The arrest was confirmed by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale in a statement released on Saturday in Abuja. The suspects, Idah Ogoh and Agbo Okwute, were apprehended on Friday following a petition from Union Bank regarding fraudulent activities linked to the account of the late Emmanuel Azer Agenna.

The fraudulent activities were uncovered after Agenna’s family contacted the bank to verify the account balance for probate processing. Noticing discrepancies in the provided balance, the family filed a complaint about unauthorized debits.

An internal investigation by the bank revealed that a debit card linked to the deceased’s account had been fraudulently issued on May 10, 2023. This card was used to make several unauthorized transactions, leading to significant withdrawals.

Oyewale stated: “Their arrest followed a petition against them by the bank on fraudulent debits on a deceased customer, Emmanuel Azer Agenna’s account. The dealings were uncovered when the family of the deceased approached the bank for the balance on the account for probate processing. The family disputed the balance given to them by the bank and subsequently raised a complaint regarding unauthorized debits.”

Further investigation by the bank indicated that Ogoh procured the card and handed it over to Okwute, who then delivered it to an accomplice. The accomplice conducted multiple withdrawals from the deceased’s account.

“The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” Oyewale added.