The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Nigerian law enforcement body, has arraigned three former bankers - Rita Emmanuel, Orjiri Martins and Monday Chibueze Ben - before Justice G C Aguma of the State High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on a three-count charge around conspiracy and stealing N12,150,000 ($610.000).

Emmanuel, a customer service manager and teller of a new generation bank, allegedly converted N6,075,000 belonging to bank customers to personal use. The fraud was allegedly concealed by Martins and Ben. The trio, who were present in court, are alleged to have deliberately conspired to defraud the bank, a statement from the EFCC said.

One of the charges read: “That you Rita Emmanuel, Orjiri Martins and Monday Chibueze Ben on or about the 3rd day of October, 2014 at the First City and Monument Bank Limited, Ikwere Road branch, Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire with each other to commit felony to wit: stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to, and punishable under Section 516A of the Criminal Code Law Cap C37 Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1990.”

Another charge reads: “That you Rita Emmanuel on or about the 3rd day of October, 2014 at the First City and Monument Bank Limited, Ikwere Road branch, Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being the customer service manager and teller of the Said bank, did steal the sum of N6,075,000 by fraudulently converting the said amount which is cash deposits from various customers of the bank and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 383 (1) (a) and punishable under section 390 (B) of the Criminal Code Law Cap C37 Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria 1990.”

They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The case was adjourned to 4 November, 2015, the EFCC statement added.