Tuesday, July 14, 2026

Ex-bank MD, Atuche sentenced to six years in jail

The judge held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission proved beyond reasonable doubt that the convicts committed fraud.

• June 16, 2021
Francis Atuche
Former Managing Director of the defunct Bank PHB, Francis Atuche [Photo credit: Qed.com]

An Ikeja High Court has sentenced  Francis Atuche, a former Managing Director of the defunct Bank PHB (now Keystone Bank) to six years’ imprisonment for defrauding the bank of N25.7 billion.

In a 10-hour judgment, Justice Lateefa Okunnu also sentenced Ugo Anyanwu, a former Chief Financial Officer of the bank to four years’ imprisonment.

The judge held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission proved beyond reasonable doubt that the convicts committed  fraud.

Okunnu, however, discharged Atuche’s wife Elizabeth, who was facing trial alongside the duo.

Details later…

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Diaspora

Ghana police nab two Nigerians for allegedly killing compatriot over internet fraud proceeds

Police officers who examined Mr Uzorchukwu’s body at the scene found a deep cut on his forehead and a towel stuffed into his mouth.

Heading 5

Family struggling to accept reality of Jayden Adams’ death after World Cup outing, says father

Adams played three matches at the World Cup in North America as South Africa reached the knockout round of the tournament for the first time in the country’s history.

Kwara State University (KWASU)

NationWide

KWASU research teams secure $43,913, N83 million grants

Mr Shaykh-Luqman also encouraged the awardees to mentor early-career researchers.

Kemi Badenoch and the UK visa

Heading 4

Nigerians, other migrants on temporary visas in UK shouldn’t be allowed indefinite stay: Kemi Badenoch

The Tory leader said individuals who are not making a significant economic contribution over a 10-year period should not be allowed to stay indefinitely.

South African and Nigerian police officers

Africa

South African police arrest four suspects for drug trafficking 

Police said four male suspects, aged between 31 and 34, were arrested at different locations in Springbok and Okiep.