Wonder bank scheme: 2 men allegedly defraud 11 Catholic priests of N42m

macfranc007 February 20, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Nurudeen Lawal

- Two people allegedly defrauded 11 Catholic priests of N42m in Benin

- The accused were arraigned in a magistrates court in Benin on 13-count charges

- They, however, pleaded guilty and were granted bail till the case resumes hearing on April 4

Two people, Greg Okojie and Monday Ahunwa, were on Monday, February 19, arraigned before a magistrates court in Benin, the Edo state capital, for allegedly defrauding 11 reverend fathers of N42 million through their ‘wonder bank’ scheme.

The reverend fathers were said to have been attracted to the wonder bank scheme because of the high-interest rate that was payable on deposits, Vanguard reports.

They were said to have been introduced to the wonder bank by a branch manager of a new generation bank, Okojie.

NAIJ.com gathered that Father Fidelis Arhedo was first introduced to the wonder bank supposedly owned by Monday Ahunwan and deposited N13 million.

Father Arhedo later introduced 10 other priests after he allegedly received good interest.

Other people that fell for the scam besides the reverend fathers are Onomen Oriakhi and Theresa Oriakhi.

Trouble reportedly started when the wonder bank could not pay accumulated interest on the entire N42 million collected from the reverend fathers, which forced the victims to report the matter to the police.

Greg and Monday were arraigned before an Oredo magistrates court for conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretext and stealing.

They, however, pleaded not guilty. In the charge sheet, the accused were alleged to have collected N42 million under the pretext of using it to do business and payback interest of five percent monthly.

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They were earlier arraigned on a three-count charge but the prosecutor, Inspector Agbonifo Patrick, amended the charges to 13.

The presiding magistrate, F. E. Akhere, granted the accused N200,000 bail each and a surety in like sum and adjourned the case till April 4 for hearing.

NAIJ.com previously reported that a Roman Catholic priest of Ikot Ekpene Diocese was kidnapped by unknown gunmen in Akwa Ibom state

The Punch reports that Rev Father Felix Akpan was abducted by yet-to-be identified gunmen along Abak-Ukanafun Road.

According to reports, Father Akpan is in-charge of St. Michael De Archangel Parish at Ikot Etim in Ukanafun local government area and also teaches at Top Faith International School, Mkpatak in Essien Udim LGA.

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