On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Kichime Gomwalk, a branch manager of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Michael Damkas Buayam of Tan Global Energy Limited, and Abbas Andrew Dayilim of Castlegate International Limited before Justice P.S. Gang of the Plateau State High Court Jos.
The three defendants are facing a five-count charge bordering on stealing, cheating, and obtaining by false pretense to the tune of N55,000.000.00 (Fifty Five Million Naira) fraud.
According to the charges, Gomwalk, while serving as the branch manager of FCMB Plc, Murtala Mohammed Way Jos, Plateau State, allegedly forged a COCIN GRATUITY CERTIFICATE OF PLEDGE/LETTER OF SET-OFF dated December 30, 2019.
The certificate was purportedly co-signed by Mrs. Monica Bitrus Tang and Rev (Dr.) Amos Musa Mohzo, directors, which he used to secure an overdraft facility from FCMB Plc to the tune of N55, 000.000.00 (Fifty-Five Million Naira) with COCIN Gratuity account N0. 100GOMWALK379 domiciled with FCMB Plc.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.
However, the prosecution counsel, Uwaise Yusuf, urged the court to remand the defendants and fix a date for trial.
The judge adjourned the case till May 18, 2023, and ordered the remand of the defendants at the Jos Correctional Center pending the hearing of their bail applications.
