Nurse docked for allegedly stealing N27.6m from patient

Immaculate, who resides in Kubwa, Abuja, is charged with criminal breach of trust, cheating and criminal misappropriation.

She, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Prosecution Counsel, Mr Otobha Okpa, told the court that the complainant, Mr John Avajah who lives in Katampe, Abuja, reported the matter at the Force Headquarters Abuja on June 11.

Okpa said that the defendant was a family friend of the complainant and had served as his 95-year-old father’s private nurse for about five years.

He said that sometime in June, his father attempted to withdraw money from his bank account but discovered that the balance was insufficient.

The complainant said his father informed him, prompting him to obtain a statement of account from the bank.

He said the statement revealed multiple transfers to different beneficiaries.

Avajah said one of the beneficiary accounts was traced to his father’s caregiver, while another allegedly belonged to the defendant.

He alleged that the defendant had direct access to his father’s ATM card and mobile phone.

The complainant said the police arrested both the defendant and the caregiver following the report.

He further alleged that about N70 million was transferred from his father’s account into different bank accounts through various Point of Sale (POS) machines.

The prosecutor told the court that the caregiver had been cooperating with the police  and has refunded about N20 million so far to the complainant.

He alleged that Immaculate, however, had not cooperated with the police and continued to deny committing the offence.

Okpa said the defendant was detained for about two months before being released after fulfilling her bail conditions.

He said the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 79, 312, 322 and 309 of the Penal Code Law.

The Senior Magistrate, Mr  Abdullahi Ilela, said no evidence had so far been established against the defendant.

He adjourned the matter until Nov. 23 for further hearing.