Juliet Oladele, Reporting
IBADAN — A 40-year-old woman, Ms Isoken Idunueko, has been arrested and charged before a court in Ibadan, Oyo State, for allegedly refusing to return N2 million that was mistakenly transferred into her bank account.
Ms Idunueko was brought before the Iyaganku Chief Magistrate Court in Ibadan on a charge of stealing, following her alleged conduct against the complainant, Ms Sandra Okwueze.
She has been remanded in custody pending the perfection of her bail conditions.
The prosecutor, ASP Foluke Adedosu, told the court that the offence took place in February 2026 at Oke-Itunu, Mokola area of Ibadan.
According to the prosecutor, the defendant stole N2,040,000 which was mistakenly sent to her Zenith Bank account bearing number 2111699080.
ASP Adedosu alleged that Ms Idunueko, who resides in the Elebu area of Ibadan, refused to return the money to the rightful owner despite being contacted by the complainant, Ms Okwueze.
The prosecutor argued that this conduct constituted an offence under Section 383 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State, 2000, and is punishable under Section 390(9) of the same Code.
When the charge was read to her, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
The presiding Magistrate, Mrs A.T. Oyediji, granted Ms Idunueko bail in the sum of N500,000, with two sureties in the same amount.
The court further ordered that one of the sureties must be a landed property owner who resides in a house.
The matter has been adjourned until 2nd June 2026 for hearing. In the meantime, the defendant has been remanded in custody at the correctional centre pending the time she will be able to perfect her bail conditions.
Stonix News understands that under Nigerian law, retaining money mistakenly transferred into one’s bank account without making reasonable efforts to return it can be treated as an offence of stealing.
Legal experts advise that recipients of such erroneous transfers should immediately notify their bank and the sender to avoid criminal liability.
