EFCC Drags Man to Court for Operating A Bank Without License

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Saturday, May 24th, 2014

Oyewale Oyelola

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dragged Moses Samanja Audu for operating Wonder Bank without license by CBN and other regulatory agencies.

An EFCC operative disclosed this at the resume of hearing of the case by Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna on Thursday

An operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulkareem Chukkol who was led in evidence by counsel to EFCC, Joshua Saidi told the court that the accused person operated a bank without valid license.

Chukkol stated that in response to the letters of enquiry written by the Commission to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, both organisations confirmed that the accused person was neither registered nor empowered to operate a financial institution. Copies of the letters were tendered and admitted as exhibits. Other document tendered as exhibits include deposit slips, cash receipt booklet and a list of some depositors.

Audu is being prosecuted alongside with his company, Miriam Moses Ventures Limited by the EFCC, on one count charge bordering on operating a banking business without license and obtaining money by false pretence.

The count reads:

“That you, Moses Samanja Audu and Miriam Moses Ventures Limited sometime between 2010 and 2011 in Kaduna, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court transacted banking business by receiving deposits from the public, without a valid Licence from the Central Bank of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 2(2) of the Bank and other Financial institutions Act, Cap B3, Vol.2, laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004”.

Justice Anyadike adjourned the case to June 16, 2014 for continuation of hearing.