NCS Isolates Atuche, Anyanwu Over COVID-19, Convicts Plan Appeal

A former Managing Director of the defunct Bank PHB, Francis
Atuche, and the bank’s Chief Financial Officer, Ugo Anyanwu, have
been put into isolation by the Nigerian Correctional Service, Lagos
State Command, pending the outcome of investigations into their
COVID-19 status.

A credible source in the Lagos prisons service, who spoke to The
PUNCH, Not Nairalaw on Thursday, explained that if they had
been vaccinated, a certificate would be needed to prove they did
not have the infection.

“And if they don’t have the certificate, the government will
bear the cost of conducting the test. But meanwhile, they will be
in isolation until all the processes are completed and then they
will be put inside the prison,” the source added.

Justice Lateefa Okunnu of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, on
Wednesday sentenced Atuche to 12 years’ imprisonment for N25.7bn
fraud.

Anyanwu was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for stealing and
conspiracy to steal, while Atuche’s wife, Elizabeth, was discharged
and acquitted.

The EFCC had in 2011 arraigned the defendants before Justice
Okunnu over N25.7bn fraud.

A spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Lagos
State, Mr Rotimi Oladokun, when contacted on Thursday on if the
convicts had been received by the service, said he would call back.
He had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, one of Atuche’s counsel, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), said his
team would appeal the judgment.

Also, counsel for Anyanwu, Sylva Ogwemoh, said he would also
appeal the judgement.

He said, “Those who structured the court system made it possible
for one to move from one judge to a panel of three judges. That is
the way the court hierarchy works.”

A former Managing Director of the defunct Bank PHB, Francis
Atuche, and the bank’s Chief Financial Officer, Ugo Anyanwu, have
been put into isolation by the Nigerian Correctional Service, Lagos
State Command, pending the outcome of investigations into their
COVID-19 status.

A credible source in the Lagos prisons service, who spoke to The
PUNCH, Not Nairalaw on Thursday, explained that if they had
been vaccinated, a certificate would be needed to prove they did
not have the infection.

“And if they don’t have the certificate, the government will
bear the cost of conducting the test. But meanwhile, they will be
in isolation until all the processes are completed and then they
will be put inside the prison,” the source added.

Justice Lateefa Okunnu of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, on
Wednesday sentenced Atuche to 12 years’ imprisonment for N25.7bn
fraud.

Anyanwu was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for stealing and
conspiracy to steal, while Atuche’s wife, Elizabeth, was discharged
and acquitted.

The EFCC had in 2011 arraigned the defendants before Justice
Okunnu over N25.7bn fraud.

A spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Lagos
State, Mr Rotimi Oladokun, when contacted on Thursday on if the
convicts had been received by the service, said he would call back.
He had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, one of Atuche’s counsel, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), said his
team would appeal the judgment.

Also, counsel for Anyanwu, Sylva Ogwemoh, said he would also
appeal the judgement.

He said, “Those who structured the court system made it possible
for one to move from one judge to a panel of three judges. That is
the way the court hierarchy works.”