A 22-year-old banker, Gbemisola Owoeye, was yesterday arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate's Court, Lagos, for allegedly stealing N2.9 million belonging to Skye Bank Plc.

The defendant, who resides at 1, Ayo Idowu Close, in Surulere area of Lagos, is facing a one-count charge of stealing preferred against him by the police.

The Police prosecutor, Chidi Okoye, told the court that the defendant committed the offence sometime between August and September.
He said the incident took place at 3, Akin Adesola Street, Skye Bank Head Office in Victoria Island.
He said the defendant was exploiting the bank's inter-currency funds transfer via ATM to the domiciliary accounts of one Otun Kehinde and Olamilekan Alabi.

Okoye said: "He was found in the practice of round-tripping foreign currency by consistently moving funds from his Naira account in other banks, via ATMs, into domiciliary accounts in the bank, after which the dollar would be withdrawn and sold at premium in the black market.
"The sum of N15,246,474.25 ($98,364.35) was transferred via ATMs to the domiciliary accounts of his accomplices. The transactions were done between August 20 and September 18."
He was also alleged to have introduced Olashile Adeshina and Lanre Fashoyi into the dealings.
According to the prosecutor, the offence committed is punishable under Section 285 of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.
Section 285, prescribes three years imprisonment for anyone found guilty of stealing.
Earlier, the defendant denied the allegation when the charge was read to him.

Magistrate A. O. Awogboro admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N250,000, with two responsible sureties in like sum, and adjourned the matter January 27, 2015, for mention.