Ibadan woman arraigned for theft after refusing to return 2,040 naira mistakenly sent to bank account

Isoken Idunueko faces theft charges in Ibadan for refusing to return 2,040 naira sent to her account by mistake. Trial set for June 2.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 24, 2026, 10:26 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Peoples Gazette

Arraignment Over Disputed Bank Transfer

The Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan served as the venue for the arraignment of Isoken Idunueko, who faces a criminal charge of theft. The 40 year old defendant, a resident of the Elebu area, appeared before the court on Friday following a dispute over a small sum of money mistakenly transferred to her personal bank account. Despite the relatively low monetary value involved, the police have moved forward with a formal prosecution, signaling a strict stance on the retention of funds sent in error.

Details of the Alleged Theft

The prosecution, led by Foluke Adedosu, informed the court that the incident originated in February at the Oke Itunu area of Mokola. According to the charge sheet, a sum of 2,040 naira was mistakenly sent to Idunueko’s Zenith Bank account by the complainant, Sandra Okwueze. Adedosu alleged that when the error was discovered and the complainant reached out to request a refund, the defendant refused to return the money. This refusal to restore the funds to their rightful owner formed the basis for the theft charge brought against her.

Legal Framework and Statutory Penalties

The offense cited by the prosecution falls under the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000. Specifically, Adedosu alleged that Idunueko’s actions contravened Section 383 and are punishable under Section 390(9) of the code. These sections deal with the fraudulent conversion of property, including money, and provide the legal definitions for what constitutes theft under state law. By pleading not guilty, the defendant has challenged the prosecution's interpretation of the events, setting the stage for a full trial to determine the legality of her actions.