By Gbenga  Ariyibi, Ado Ekiti

The Federal High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti yesterday summoned the Branch Manager of the First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Plc, Ado Ekiti to appear in the court in the next adjournment date over an alleged collusion with others to steal several millions of Naira being the various taxes to be remitted to the account of the Federal Inland Revenue (FIR) by some local governments and some parastatals in the state

In a charge sheet with reference number FHC/AD/23C/2011 dated April 11, 2011 instituted by the Federal Government of Nigeria i.e, the complainant versus FBN Plc and 9 others, the bank official was alleged to have colluded with others to steal several millions of Naira between 2008 and 2009 , being the amount of taxes to be paid to the account of the FIR by some local governments, ministries and certain parastatals in the state .

The monies involved were said to have been initially domiciled with both Ado Ekiti and Ijero Micro Finance Banks Limited and cleared through the current account with the First Bank of Nigeria Plc.

The accused persons according to the prosecution counsel, Bashir. M. Hamis in his 41_count charge were said to have committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act CAP C38 Laws of the Federation 2004.

The prosecution counsel had accused the defendants of forging some vital documents belonging to FIRS to hoodwink the Bank officials and collected money running into millions being the taxes paid by these government establishments into Federal Government’s coffers.

Joined in the suit are: First Bank of Nigeria, Ulayin Micro_Finance Bank, Ado Ekiti, Wema Bank PLC, Aramoko Micro_Finance Bank, Ogunleye Adekunle, James Olaleye, Olajide Augustine Ayinla, Ikusemoran Funsho, Adaramoye Remi, Fatokun Adekunle Olusuyi and David Babatunde.

The prosecution Counsel, who in his amendment charge prayed the Court to issue the summon to compel the occupant of the position in the said Bank in Ekiti State to appear, so that the case could be heard simultaneously with other eleven accused persons in the case.

Hamis revealed that the non_appearance of the 12th accused person, Mr Umoru Amidu, the Head of Operation of Aramoko Micro_Finance Bank , have made the trial of the respondents uneasy , as it was difficult for him to reach and served him with relevant Court documents.