Arraignment in Ibadan Highlights Common Financial Crime Tactic
By Olawale Akinremi
Ibadan, Dec. 16, 2025 (NAN) – A 31-year-old man, Taiwo Adeniyi, was arraigned on Tuesday before a Grade ‘A’ Customary Court in Mapo, Ibadan, facing charges related to an alleged attempt to steal an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card. This case provides a concrete example of the ‘card swapping’ schemes that continue to target bank customers, despite widespread awareness campaigns.
Adeniyi pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of stealing and unlawful possession of ATM cards brought by the police. His plea initiates a formal legal process where the prosecution must now prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
The court’s President, Mrs. S. M. Akintayo, granted the defendant bail set at N100,000, requiring two sureties who must each provide the same amount. Crucially, the court mandated that each surety present evidence of a National Identification Number (NIN). This condition, increasingly common in Nigerian courts, ties the judicial process to national identity verification systems, aiming to ensure the reliability and traceability of those standing surety. The case was adjourned until February 8 for hearing.
The prosecuting counsel, Insp. Ayodele Ayeni, outlined the allegations. He stated that on November 30, at about 10:00 a.m., Adeniyi allegedly executed a ‘card swap’ at the Fidelity Bank branch in Mokola, Ibadan. The prosecutor claimed Adeniyi “cunningly exchanged” the GTBank ATM card belonging to one Mrs. Wealth Ogbenigho, intending to access the funds in her savings account. This method often involves distracting the victim during or after a transaction and substituting their card with a dummy or expired card.
Ayeni further revealed that Adeniyi was found in possession of two Opay ATM cards and one UBA ATM card that were not his. The discovery of multiple cards from different institutions suggests the possibility of either prior successful thefts or preparation for future attempts, a point likely to be explored during the trial.
The prosecutor cited that the offences contravene Sections 509 and 430 of the Criminal Code Act, Caps 38 Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. Section 509 typically deals with the intent to commit a felony or misdemeanor, which in this context would be the attempted theft. Section 430 generally addresses the possession of property reasonably suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained—directly applicable to the unrelated ATM cards found in his possession. The application of these sections highlights how the law tackles both the specific attempted act and the circumstantial evidence suggesting a pattern of behavior.
This case serves as a critical reminder for the public to maintain extreme vigilance at ATMs and bank premises: always shield your PIN, be wary of distractions, and physically secure your card before walking away from the machine. The legal proceedings will now determine whether the prosecution can successfully link the defendant to the alleged criminal intent and possession. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
SEM/MAS
Edited by Moses Solanke
