Two point of sale (POS) operators arraigned before an Ikeja Chief Magistrate’s court have denied charges for allegedly stealing over N2 million from a First Bank automated teller machine, (ATM).
The men, Marcus Olaitan and Ajibade Adeolu, were on Monday charged at an Ikeja Chief Magistrate’s Court for alleged theft of over N2 million from a First bank Automated Teller Machine (ATM).
While reading the charges to the accused persons in the court, an assistant superintendent of police, (ASP), Raji Akeem, prosecuting, said that Olaitan, 43, and Adeolu, 30, both POS operators live at Ketu, Lagos, and are being tried for conspiracy and stealing.
According to ASP Akeem, the offences were committed on September 4, 2023, from a First Bank PLC ATM, on CMD Road, Magodo-Shangisha, Lagos.
He told the court that the complainant, Mrs Wuraola Odeniyi, went to the ATM to withdraw money and met a man who appeared to be one of the security men of the bank and offered to help her.
The prosecutor added that the man who is still at large, offered to help the complainant and unknown to her, he had memorised her Personal Identification Number (PIN).
“Later that day, the woman received a N2.517 million debit alert,” he said.
He added that “when the complainant went to the bank to complain, CCTV footage was played and the man she met at the ATM kiosk was seen reciting the numbers on her card,” he said.
The prosecutor said that the police were able to trace the POS operators who transferred the money.
The offences, according to the prosecutor, contravened Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read out to them in the court.
Before adjourning the case to March 18 for mention, Chief Magistrate, Mrs Bola Osunsanmi, granted the accused bail of N200,000 each with two sureties in like sum. (NAN)