Ex-Fidelity Bank Employee Faces EFCC Charges Over Alleged N2.7 Billion Fraud

LAGOS, NIGERIA – The trial of Christopher Jackson Edeh, accused of involvement in a N2.7 billion fraud case at Fidelity Bank, is set to begin on May 30, 2024. This was disclosed by Justice O.O. Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos.

Edeh is facing nine charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 28, 2024. These charges include fraudulent false accounting and unauthorized access to a computer under Sections 337 and 387 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

Among the allegations, Edeh is accused of altering customer account details of Dangote Cement Plc while employed at Fidelity Bank with the aim of defrauding the institution. He is also alleged to have facilitated the theft of N2,737,784,800.00 from Fidelity Bank by gaining unauthorized access to the bank’s Entrust portal.

The statement further revealed, “He was also alleged to have with intent to defraud altered the bank account details of the Kano State Government – Power Intervention Fund, NNPC Trading Limited, Stallion Vision Ltd, the Lagos State Government-Blue Line, State Contributory Pension Account, and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ujukwu University”.

EFCC, represented by counsel Z.B. Atiku, expressed readiness to prove its case against the defendant. However, the defense presented a bail application for Edeh, leading to an adjournment until Tuesday, March 19, 2024, for the hearing of the application.

During the hearing, defense counsel G.A. Daniel argued that the offense was bailable, and Justice Abike-Fadipe granted bail to Edeh in the sum of N5 million. Two sureties in like sum, with one being a blood relation to the defendant, were required for the bail.

“The sureties shall depose to an affidavit of means, must be gainfully employed and resident within the jurisdiction of the court, and must show evidence of tax payment for the last three years to the Lagos State,” stated Justice Abike-Fadipe.

Edeh pleaded “not guilty” to all charges during his plea, with the defense counsel emphasizing the bailable nature of the offense and urging the court to grant bail to his client.

The case was adjourned to May 30 and June 6, 2024, for the commencement of trial, marking the next phase in the legal proceedings against Christopher Jackson Edeh.