Ex Managing Director Of Bank PHB, Francis Atuche, Pleads Innocence

An ex Managing Director of defunct Bank PHB, currently known as Keystone Bank, Francis Atuche, denied the N25.7 billion theft charge, put up against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Atuche has once again appeared before Justice Lateefat Okunnu at an Ikeja High Court, Lagos, on June 25, 2014, Wednesday. He told the court that it was absurd to label him a thief.

The former bank chief was led in evidence by his counsel, Mr Tayo Oyetibo, SAN. 

Atuche declared that he was a devout Catholic and, therefore, accusations of theft were nonsense: 

The embattled former banker added he had never stolen anything in his life. He noted that this declaration may be supported by the excellent testimonial issued to him by the various schools he attended.

Atuche told the court that he had joined Ibadan chapter of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, as a clerk on April 4, 1982. He was promoted to the position of supervisor only after nine months.

The case has been adjourned till July 7, 2014, for further court hearing.

Related: Pat Utomi Appears As Star Witness For Accused Bank MD Atuche, Accuses CBN Governor

Atuche’s lawyer made an unsuccessful attempt to quash the N25.7 billion theft charge in December 2013.

Other defendants in the case are the wife of the ex banker, Elizabeth, and a former Chief Financial Officer of the bank, Ugo Anyanwu.

Source: Legit.ng