I.T. MOHAMMAD, J.S.C:(Delivering the Leading Judgement) The appellant was the General Manager of Prime Merchant Bank. He along with two others, were charged before the Enugu Zone of the Failed Banks Tribunal, with the offences of conspiracy to steal and stealing various sums of money amounting to about N878,000,000.00 (Eight Hundred and Seventy Eight Million Naira). He was also charged with failure to take reasonable steps to secure compliance by Prime Merchant Bank Ltd. with requirement of the Banks and others Financial Institutions Decree (Act) No. 25 of 1999.
The appellant was away abroad at the time he was charged before the Tribunal and remained away throughout his trial and conviction. According to the learned counsel for the appellant, the appellant became aware of the judgment against him on 20/10/1999. He took no steps to comply with the terms of the judgment.
While still abroad, the appellant instructed his counsel to file an application for extension of time to file his app…