Sterling Bank Ex-Manager Sent To Prison For Stealing N219m

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of a former manager with Sterling Bank and Account Relationship Officer of OHHA Microfinance Bank, Oliver Anidiobi

Ezenwoko’s Blog reports that Anidiobi was sentenced to 18 years jail term by the Enugu State High Court.

Justice C. O. Ajah of the Enugu State High Court in Enugu sentenced the former bank manager after a 32-count charge bordering on forgery and stealing to the tune of N219million.

Oliver Anidiobi

It was gathered that the EFCC had arraigned Anidiobi on Tuesday May, 7, 2019.

The anti-graft agency had accused him of using his position to convince OHHA Microfinance Bank to deposit the said sum through him.

According to the EFCC, the defendant put the money in a fixed deposit account, forging a deposit certificate to deceive the microfinance bank, while he diverted the funds for his personal use.

It was gathered that the former Sterling Bank manager built a block of 5 flats, acquired several plots of land along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, an uncompleted four bedroom bungalow at Centenary Estate, Enugu.

He also invested N65million in a Ponzi Scheme called “Let’s Partner with You” owned by one Patrick Nwokike.

During the trial, the prosecution counsel Michael Ani, presented five witnesses and tendered 75 exhibits while the defendant testified for himself.

At the last hearing on October 8, 2021, Justice Ajah adjourned to November 2, 2021 for judgment

Delivering judgement today, Justice Ajah held that Anidiobi did not deny nor challenge the allegations levelled against him by the EFCC.

“Any evidence not challenged is admitted as true. I am duty bound to establish the evidence presented by the prosecution. The evidence is strong and compelling to grant conviction”, he said.

Oliver Anidiobi was therefore sentenced to 4 years imprisonment on counts 1-14 without an option of fine; 4 years on counts 15-17 and 8 years on counts 28-32 without an option of fine. The sentences are to run concurrently.

The court further ruled that an estate valuer is to evaluate Anidiobi’s properties at his village, Centenary City and Premier Layout, New Artisan, Enugu to help determine their value so that they can be sold and the proceeds paid back to OHHA Microfinance Bank.