Court orders EFCC, bank to produce CCTV in ex-worker’s N1m trial

Justice Ismail Ijelu of the Lagos State Special Offences Court has adjourned the trial of Chukwuebuka Nweke, a former Fidelity Bank employee, to allow for the production of crucial evidence. The defense team is seeking CCTV footage and other documents that they believe will exonerate Nweke from charges of unauthorized withdrawal of N1 million from a customer's account.

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The customer told me she had gone to a nightclub and was robbed on her way back, after which withdrawals started from her account.

Nweke, who appeared in court, vehemently denied the allegations. He presented a defense that challenged the prosecution's narrative, suggesting that the workstation implicated in the alleged fraudulent transaction was not exclusively used by him. According to Nweke, multiple employees on night shifts often utilized any available system based on customer call assignments, implying that the system's access logs might not definitively point to his sole involvement.

The case took a turn during the examination-in-chief when Nweke recounted the events leading to the accusation. He described receiving a customer complaint about an unauthorized debit of N500,000, which later escalated to N1 million. Nweke stated that he initiated steps to restrict the account, a process that required supervisor approval, and also mentioned assisting a colleague, Emmanuella Anyanwu, with system sign-out when she stepped away. He firmly denied using any system for fraudulent activities, expressing shock at his subsequent accusation by the bank's investigation unit.

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I never used any system to carry out fraudulent transactions.

This trial highlights a common scenario in financial crime cases where access logs and system usage become critical points of contention. The defense's request for CCTV and detailed system access records underscores the importance of comprehensive evidence in establishing guilt or innocence. The court's decision to grant the adjournment reflects a commitment to due process, ensuring that all relevant evidence is presented before a verdict is reached. From a legal perspective in Nigeria, such cases emphasize the need for robust internal controls within financial institutions and thorough investigations by regulatory bodies like the EFCC.

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The workstation allegedly linked to the transaction was not exclusive to one staff member, explaining that multiple employees on night shift often used any available system depending on assigned customer calls.