Air Force Officer Arraigned Over Theft Of N20 Million Mistakenly Credit To His Bank Account

The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arraigned an officer of the Nigerian Air Force, Lance Corporal Haruna Samuel, on one count of theft and criminal misappropriation.

According to reports, the defendant was arraigned before Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court on Tuesday, January 18. 

The defendant was alleged to have received a credit alert of the sum of N20, 014, 300 (Twenty Million, Fourteen Thousand, Three Hundred Naira) into his bank account on November 3, 2020.

Knowing fully well that the money was sent in error from the account of his employer, the defendant instead of reporting the issue to his bank or employer, went ahead to withdraw part of the money for personal use, including settling debts. 

Following his actions, the defendant absconded from his duty post to Plateau State where he was eventually arrested by EFCC officials.

“That you, Haruna Samuel sometime in December 2020 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court dishonestly misappropriated the sum of N20, 014,300.00 (Twenty Million and Fourteen Thousand, Three Hundred Naira), property of NAF Ground Training Centre which was erroneously sent to your Zenith Bank account No. 2189705893 which said sum you dishonestly converted to your use and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 293 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017 and punishable under Section 294 of the same Law," the count reads.

Samuel however, pleaded not guilty to the above charge.

After his plea, the prosecution counsel, Precious C. Onyeneho, prayed the court to fix a date for trial to commence.

S.A Yahaya, the accused's counsel moved an oral application urging the court to admit his client to bail.

Justice Khobo granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5, 000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) and a reliable surety in like sum, who must own a property in Kaduna backed with a Certificate of Occupancy, to be verified by both the EFCC and the Registrar of the Court.

The case was subsequently adjourned till  March 10, 2022, for hearing.