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Fraud in Stabic IBTC Staff Allegedlly Coverts Millions of Naira Bad Loan to Personal Use

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3 months ago

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Fraud in Stabic IBTC Staff Allegedlly Coverts Millions of Naira Bad Loan to Personal Use

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, South West, Nigeria has adjourned till 24th of May 2023, a case of Stanbic IBTC staff alleged to have fraudulently converted the sum of N250 Million to his personal use.

When the case was mentioned, the Police prosecuting counsel M. U. Usman told the court that, the defendant has approached the bank for amicable settlement, in view of this development he urged the court to give fairly long adjournment. The defendant’s counsel Mr.M.N. Oku did not raise any objection.

 

Consequently, the presiding Judge, Abimbola Awogboro adjourned till 24th of May, 2023 for report of settlement.

Ajayi Olusola a staff of Stanbic IBTC bank was arraigned before the court based on a petition written and jointly signed on behalf of Stanbic IBTC Bank by Kayode Agbetoye

Manager, investigations and Fraud Risk and Rekia Eletu

Head, Investigations and Fraud Risk, the petition titled “Alleged Diversion of Approved Written -off Amounts for Bad Loans by Olusola Ajayi Others.

Sola David-Borha, Stanbic IBTC Chairman
The petition was written and address to the Commisioner of Police Special Fraud Unit 13b,Milverton Avenue Ikoyi Lagos. Nigeria.

Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC in the said petition stated thus:

We are currently investigating a case of alleged diversion of approved Written-off Loan by some staff members and others. The amount to be written-off, as approved by the Board,were expected to be posted into loan accounts of the beneficiary debtors, to nil off the outstanding loans as provisioned. It was however discovered that the written off amounts were diverted and credited into personal and corporate accounts where the funds were utilized by the account owners.

Our preliminary findings revealed that on 21 April 2021, the Bank’s Board approved to write off total amount of N37,628,329.00 on 28 defaulting customers’ accounts. The request was to write off the outstanding exposures (as well as the debit interest that would have accrued before the actual entries are passed). Also, the Board’s approval was obtained on 21 April 2021 to write -off total amount of N2,462,057,201.71 on 848 defaulting customers’ accounts.

Some of the amounts approved for write off into the loan accounts of the defaulting customers were discovered to have been diverted and credited into a Corporate Account, Able System Services Nigeria Ltd. (ASSNL), a customer of the bank.

A review of the transfers from ASSNL’s account showed that 36 beneficiaries in other banks received total amount of N55,118,002 between 2015 and 2021. Three (3) of these recipients are customers of Stanbic IBTC bank – Ajayi Olusola (staff), Ayodele Omoniyi Olaogun and Hakeem Abdulliadi. Olusola Ajayi received total amount of N12.5Million into his Bank account from between November 2020 and May 2021. Also, Ayodele Omoniyi Olaogun received total amount of N9.74million to his Access Bank account from ASSNL between September2015 and May 2021.

Ajayi Olusola is an employee of the bank. He was a staff member of MIS Unit and currently a Business Support & Resolution (BS&R) team in the bank member was a staff in the member Bank. Ayodele Omoniyi Olaogun is ex-staff and currently Olaogun is an ex-staff of the bank He was a staff of the bank. He was a staff member of the MIS Unit.

We therefore request that you use your good office to conduct a detailed investigation into this incident and effect the arrest of the suspect(s) for prosecution.

We count on your usual cooperation

The petition was was investigated and at the end of the investigation five count charge was filed before the court against Ajayi Olusola and his company Abel Services Nigeria Limited and others at large by the Police Legal Officer Barrister Azubuike Sylvester.

The amended version of the charge as filed before the court, by Police Legal Officer Azubuike Sylvester is stated below:

AMENDED CHARGE
COUNT 1

That you AJAYI OLUSOLA ‘M’, ABEL SYSTEMS SERVICES NIG. LTD, AYODELE OLAOGUN, MR. HAKEEM ADISA ABDULHADI both now at large, between 2015 and 2021 at Stanbic IBTC Bank in Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court while working as a staff at Stanbic IBTC Bank did conspired amongst yourselves and others now at large to commit a felony to wit: obtain the sum of N205,000,000 (Two hundred and five Million Naira Only) property of Stanbic IBTC Bank by False Pretences and thereby committed an Offence Contrary to Section 8(a) and Punishable Under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No 14 of 2006.

COUNT 2

That you AJAYI OLUSOLA ‘M’, ABEL SYSTEMS SERVICESNIG. LTD, AYODELE OLAOGUN, MR. HAKEEM ADISA ABDULHADI both now at large, between 2015 and 2021 at Stanbic IBTC Bank in Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court while working as a staff at Stanbic IBTC Bank by False Pretence and with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N205,000,000 (Two hundred and five Million Naira Only) property of Stanbic IBTC Bank by Falsely representing to the bank that you applied the funds as approved by the Board of the bank for the purpose of offsetting written off debt otherwise known as BAD DEBTS. Whereas you credited ABEL SYSTEMS SERVICES NIG. LTD and subsequently converted the money to your own use and benefits amongst yourselves and others at large.

The representation you knew to be false or did not believe to be true or which you made recklessly and thereby committed an Offence Contrary to Section 1(1)(a) and Punishable Under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No 14 of 2006.

COUNT 3

That you AJAYI OLUSOLA ‘M’, ABEL SYSTEMS SERVICES NIG. LTD, AYODELE OLAOGUN, MR. HAKEEM ADISA ABDULHADI both now at large, between 2015 and 2021 at Stanbic IBTC Bank in Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, did convert to your own use and benefits the sum of N205,000,000 (Two hundred and five Million Naira Only) property of Stanbic IBTC Bank, which sum you knew or reasonably ought to have known, was the proceed of an unlawful act, to wit: obtaining money by false pretences from Stanbic IBTC Bank, Lagos and thereby committed an Offence Punishable Under Section 15(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as Amended in 2012.

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Fidelity Bank MD, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe Gets National Award

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10 hours ago

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May 31, 2023

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Fidelity Bank was Titled Best SME Bank in Nigeria at the 2022 Global Banking & Finance Awards

Fidelity Bank MD, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe Gets National Award

The Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank PLC, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, has been listed amongst the recipients of the 2023 national awards.

NaijaNews reports that according to the 2023 national awards list released by the Federal Government last weekend, Onyeali-Ikpe would be conferred with the award of the Officer of the Order of the Niger, OON.

The list also includes prominent names such as Emeka Anyaoku, First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, Co-Founder of Tony Elumelu Foundation, Dr. Awele Elumelu; President of Transcorp Group, and Dr. Owen Omogiafo among others.

Also, former Governor of Osun, Bisi Akande; Olusegun Osoba; Mamman Daura, and Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, among others received Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic.

The OON award comes to join a list of recognitions Onyeali-Ikpe has received recently. It would be recalled that she bagged the awards of the Banker of the Year 2022 at the Champion Newspapers’ Awards of the Year 2022 earlier in May, the Banker of the Year 2022 at the 14th Leadership Annual Conference and Awards in January 2023 as well as the Best Banking CEO Nigeria 2023 in the 2023 Global Banking & Finance Awards in April 2023.

She was also recognized as one of the top 10 female finalists in the Africa.com Definitive List of Women Chief Executive Officers (CEOs).

Onyeali-Ikpe joined Fidelity Bank as an Executive Director in 2015 and was appointed Managing Director/CEO of the Bank in January 2021.

Following her appointment, Onyeali-Ikpe became the first female MD/CEO in the history of the bank and one out of six other female CEOs in the industry.

Under Onyeali-Ikpe’s watch, Fidelity Bank grew its PBT from N25.22 billion in 2021 to N53.68 billion in 2022.

Furthermore, she guided the bank to obtain the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria to expand its operations to the United Kingdom.

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Zenith Bank Wins ‘Best Corporate Governance Financial Services’ in Africa Award for the Fourth Consecutive Time

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11 hours ago

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May 31, 2023

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Zenith Bank Wins ‘Best Corporate Governance Financial Services’ in Africa Award for the Fourth Consecutive Time

 

For the fourth consecutive year, Zenith Bank Plc has been named the Best Corporate Governance ‘Financial Services’ Africa 2023 by the Ethical Boardroom. The award, which was published in the Spring 2023 edition of The Ethical Boardroom magazine, is in recognition of the bank’s adherence to global best practices and institutionalization of corporate governance, setting an industry-wide example of best practices in that field.

 

Speaking on the recognition, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, said: “I am extremely pleased that Zenith Bank has been awarded the Ethical Boardroom Corporate Governance award as a regional governance champion for the fourth year running. No doubt, the bank’s board has pioneered the exemplary governance culture for which we are now renowned.

 

“Indeed, this recognition reflects our steadfast commitment, discipline and high ethos in the conduct of our business and dedication to the principles of good corporate governance. This award will motivate us to strengthen this culture internally and advocate for good governance at every forum”.

 

He dedicated the award to the Founder and Group Chairman of the bank Jim Ovia, for providing the template for an enduring and very successful institution; the Board for their vision and outstanding leadership; the staff for their dedication and commitment; and the bank’s customers for their unwavering loyalty to the brand.

 

Ethical Boardroom is a trailblazing and leading international magazine that delivers in-depth coverage and critically-astute analysis of global corporate governance issues to help boards stay ahead of the governance curve.

 

Zenith Bank has been generally adjudged a Corporate Governance compliant bank by the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) hence it’s listing on the Premium Board of the Exchange. The bank continues to sustain this reputation and reappraise its processes to ensure that its business conforms to the highest global standards at all times.

 

The bank’s track record of excellent performances has continued to earn it numerous awards including being recognized as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital, for the 13th consecutive year, in the 2022 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking published by The Banker Magazine; Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year awards 2020 and 2022.

State of the States: Lagos

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FirstBank Donates Modern Healthcare Centre To Lagos Community

Published

2 days ago

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May 29, 2023

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FirstBank Donates Modern Healthcare Centre To Lagos Community

 

The commissioned Primary Healthcare Centre sponsored by FirstBank to the Ijeododo Community, Lagos.

…Over 10,000 residents to benefit from new primary healthcare centre

L-R: Hon. Ayodele Thomas, Vice Chairman, Iba Local Council Development Area; High Chief Jelili Ododo, Baale of Ijeododo land; Mrs. Tolani Oshodi, Permanent Secretary, Office of Secretary to the State Government/Cabinet Office; Mrs. Folasade Jaji, Secretary to the State Government and representative of the Governor of Lagos State; Mr. Seyi Oyefeso representing the CEO of FirstBank; Dr. Ibrahim Mustapha, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board at the commissioning of the Primary Healthcare Centre sponsored by FirstBank to the Ijeododo Community, Lagos.

 

In a bid to boost healthcare delivery to thousands of residents, the Lagos State Government has built and unveiled a new Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Ije-Ododo Community, Iba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), under the Ojo Council Area of the state.

The facility, which has been under construction since 2021 in partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited, was unveiled in the community in an opening ceremony attended by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, representatives of the state government, the state Primary Health Care Board, community leaders, as well as traditional rulers of Iba, Ije-Ododo and Ijagemo, among others.

In his welcome address, the governor, who was represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Folashade Sherifat Jaji, said the opening of the health facility under the SSG’s One Community At A Time (OCAAT) initiative, formed part of activities to herald the inauguration of his second term in office on Monday, May 29, 2023.

Maintaining that the attention being paid to the healthcare sector was deliberate to ensure a healthier populace, he said the state government under his watch would deploy more resources to the health sector for easier access to health services, especially in underserved communities.

He enjoined members of the community to take full advantage of the health benefits that will be provided in the facility and charged them to take ownership and protect the assets and the facility at all times.

Speaking, Permanent Secretary, Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Ibrahim Mustapha, commended First Bank of Nigeria Limited and the contractor for completing the project within the stipulated time frame, but also requested more assistance to make the facility functional by providing equipment and other necessary medical gadgets.

On his part, Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, who was represented by Mr. Seyi Oyefeso, expressed satisfaction at the successful completion of the project, adding that it was gratifying to know that no fewer than 10,000 residents of Ije-Ododo and neighbouring communities will have access to primary healthcare services in the facility.

He said as a responsible corporate social organisation, the bank’s intervention in the primary healthcare sector aligned with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) approach anchored on citizenship, impact management, strategic education, as well as the health and welfare of the immediate and remote communities of Lagos State and other parts of the country.

In his words: “The completion and opening of the primary healthcare centre is to ensure that Ije-Ododo community will become healthier and wealthier since health is wealth.”

In his goodwill message, the Baale of Ije-Ododo, Dr. Abu Jelili Ododo, who spoke in company of the Oba of Iba and Baale of Ijagemo, applauded Governor Sanwo-Olu for the timely completion of the healthcare centre and appealed for the construction of the Ijegun-Ije-Ododo-Abule-Ado road to link the Badagry Expressway, adding that it was high time the Ije-Ododo Community was provided with a motorable road to ease the sufferings of residents.

Responding to the request for the road, Jaji assured that the Lagos State government under Sanwo-Olu was poised to build the road but that the project suffered some setback due to agitations by some members of the community over the location of the project, adding however, that as soon as the governor settles down for his second tenure, construction work will begin on the road.

By Edu Abade

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