“I am a Catholic. I Cannot Be A Thief” Former MD BANK PHB Francis Atuche Tells Court

The former managing director of the defunct Bank PHB (now Keystone) Mr. Francis Atuche, who is accused of allegedly embezzling N25.7 billion from Bank PHB told an Ikeja High court during cross examination on Wednesday, that he is a devout Catholic, and is innocent of the charges preferred against him by the EFCC.

Frnacis stated this while testifying before Justice Lateefat Okunnu of an Ikeja High court. In his words: "I am a Catholic. I cannot be a thief. I was baptised in the church and before I left primary school, I have started receiving Holy Communion which I do every day. I cannot receive Holy Communion when I am not in the state of grace. I cannot be a thief because God has been gracious to me’’.