Job Scam: Unity Bank, MTN, Others Sued

Job Scam: Unity Bank, MTN, Others Sued

Men of Force Criminal Investigation Department (ForceCID) Annex, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, have dragged Unity Bank Plc, three telecommunications service providers and a self-acclaimed medical doctor, before a Federal High Court, over alleged job fraud.

The three telecommunications service providers sued alongside Unity Bank Plc are: MTN Nigeria Limited, Airtel Nigeria Limited and Globalcom Nigeria Limited, while the medical doctor is Ibrahim Sodiq.

The ForceCID’s lawyer, Mr. Boniface Asogwa, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in-Charge of Legal Departmenf, in a suit marked FHC/L/CS/634/2020, stated that the suit was pursuant to Order 26 Rule 18, 21 and Order 28 Rule 1 (1) (2) (3) of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2009 and Sections 4 and 23 of the Police Act. Cap. P19, LFN 2004.

ForceCID, in suit had urged the court to place a lien/post-no debt order on some accounts with Unity Bank Plc, which are allegedly been used by some unscrupulous elements to defraud unsuspecting members of the public, under the pretence of providing them jobs at Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta, Lagos.

The police had also sought an order of the court to arrest one of the respondents, Dr. Ibrahim Sadiq, whom it said operates account with Unity Bank of Nigeria Plc with account No. 0045814949. And an order directing MTN Nigeria Limited, Airtel Nigeria Limited and Globalcom Nigeria Limited, to furnish IGP with the call logs of the users of telephone numbers 08127044118, 08060117686 and 09017348747, the names of registered users, their addresses of residence and all the information that could help the Police to locate and arrest the users of the phone numbers. 

The police also asked the court for an order to block the said phone numbers 08127044118. 08060117686 and 090’73‘8747 and assist the police in arresting the owners/users of the said phone numbers when seen. 
The police in an affidavit deposed to byBernard Omang, lawyer, attached to Legal section of FCID Annex, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, stated that in the course of investigating the complaints or crimes reported by Federal Medical Centre Ebute Metta, Lagos. And that the petition containing allegation of Conspiracy, Fraud, and impersonation reported by the Federal Medical Centre Ebute Metta, Lagos, captioned “Unauthorised use of Social Media Account to Place advert for Employment” was referred to AC Legal and team to investigate.

He stated that the phone numbers 08127044118, 08050117686 and 09017348747 are being used by the owners or users to defraud unsuspecting members of the public huge sums of money falsely claiming that Federal Medical Centre Ebute Metta is recruiting doctors and other staff.

The deponent stated that investigation revealed that the alleged fraudsters involved are using Bank account number 0045814949 on one Dr. Ibrahim Sadiq at Unity Bank Plc, to defraud unsuspecting members of the public huge sums of money. And that there is need to discover and arrest the holder of the said account through placing a Post No Debit, inspection and Obtaining Statement of Account of the said account and taking copies of all the account opening documents in respect of the said account. 

ACP Asogwa, in convincing the court to grant the order, when the suit was heard on Monday, said it will a enhance police investigation by placing a Post No Debit on the Account and obtaining all the account opening documents of the said account including its statement of Account.

He also  stated that there is need for court orders to enable the service providers listed as the 3rd, 4th and 5th respondents, to furnish the Applicant with all useful information that will lead to the arrest of the suspects. 

He further stated that Dr. Ibrahim, who was said to be operating the said bank account with Unity Bank and the bank needs the order of this Honourable Court to enable it act by placing lien/post no debit on his accounts and possibly assist in arresting the fraudster whenever he appears for any transaction. 

That unsuspecting members of the public and Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta, have suffered and still suffering huge losses and embarrassment through the fraudulent activities of the owners and/Or users of the aforesaid Bank Account and Phone numbers supervised by the respondents

It will be in the interest of justice to hear this application urgently so as to forestall further losses to members of the public and embarrassment to the Management of the Federal Medical Centre Ebute Metta, Lagos. 

That there is need for urgency in the hearing of this application to enable us expedite action and conclude the investigation of this case and entrance possible prosecution.

The applicant and his police officers (investigating team) are committed law enforcement citizens and would want to show commitment in ensuring the performance of their lawful duties.
ACP Asogwa, told the court that nobody will be prejudiced if this application is granted. 
Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo, in granting the application held that: “I have listened to the submission of the counsel to the applicant on motion on notice, accompanying affidavit, written addresses.

“I have also perused the attached exhibits. Am of the view that the application ought to succeed and same is hereby succeed. The application is hereby granted”.