By Aduragbemi Omiyale

A new vehicle financing initiative designed to allow funding support of up to 90 per cent of a vehicle’s value and repayment tenures of more than four years has been introduced by Access Bank Plc.

This is part of the lender’s vehicle asset financing programme aimed at expanding access to vehicle ownership and mobility services across the country.

Application for the service is through a digital process, the bank’s Executive Director of Corporate and Investment Banking Division, Ms Iyabo Soji-Okusanya, disclosed.

Customers can access vehicles from top distributors like CIG Motors, Mikano Motors, Kewalram Motors, Stallion Motors, Elizade JAC, CFAO and other mobility dealers. They can purchase both new and certified pre-owned vehicles through a single process, she added.

“You apply online, and you go home with the keys to your car already in your pocket,” Ms Soji-Okusanya stated, noting that for businesses, the initiative will provide access to vehicles needed for operations while helping dealers improve inventory turnover and unlock capital tied down in unsold stock.

While explaining how the process works, the Group Head of Access Bank Mobility, Mr Ishmael Nwokocha, said the bank spent the last six months engaging dealers and other stakeholders in the automotive value chain before rolling out the programme.

According to him, Nigeria records annual vehicle sales of about 100,000 units, with only about 10 per cent being brand-new vehicles, while the remaining 90 per cent are pre-owned vehicles, adding that rising vehicle prices have significantly reduced affordability for many Nigerians.

“What are we offering today? Come with 10 per cent equity contribution, and we’ll finance the 90 per cent,” Mr Nwokocha said, noting that customers would also have access to insurance, after-sales services, and a digital loan application process that allows applicants, dealers and the bank to monitor progress.

He said the initiative extends beyond individual consumers to corporate organisations, schools, hospitals and other businesses requiring vehicle fleets, revealing plans to expand financing access to operators in the ride-hailing and transport sectors that are currently outside the formal banking system.

On her part, the Group Head of Product and Segment at Access Bank, Ms Chizoba Iheme, said the bank had put measures in place to support customers who encounter financial difficulties during the repayment period, explaining that affected borrowers could seek loan restructuring rather than risk losing their vehicles immediately.

“So long as the vehicle is still valid, it’s still running on the road, we can look at your finance, and then we’ll repackage your loan,” she said, also clarifying that customers are not required to maintain loans for the full approved tenor and can repay outstanding obligations earlier if they choose.

On the scope of the programme, she said financing is available to individuals, corporates and small businesses seeking vehicles for commercial or operational use.

The Managing Director of CIG Motors, Ms Eniola Olutimilehin, whose company is one of the participating dealers, said the partnership would help connect vehicle buyers with financing while supporting mobility and business operations.

She said the collaboration is expected to improve access to vehicles for individuals and entrepreneurs requiring transportation assets for personal and commercial activities.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A Nigerian-American identified as Mr Adegoke Oluwatobi Adams has been arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Ilorin, Kwara State, over his alleged link with cross-border vehicle import fraud of about $320,000 (approximately N434.88 million).

A statement from the EFCC disclosed that the suspect is being investigated for alleged criminal breach of trust and obtaining money by false pretence.

Preliminary investigations revealed that he allegedly belongs to a syndicate based in the United States that specialises in defrauding unsuspecting Nigerians under the guise of purchasing and importing vehicles from the US for them.

It was discovered that while residing in America, Mr Adams allegedly advertised and circulated photographs of a 2024 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG to prospective buyers in Nigeria, promising to purchase and ship the luxury vehicle to them.

Findings revealed that two victims allegedly paid $320,000 for the vehicle. One of the victims, Ikechukwu Osita Ifeabunike, reportedly paid $145,000 through an intermediary, while another victim, Godson Azubuike Amans, allegedly paid $175,000 for the same vehicle.

Further investigation also uncovered a prior criminal record involving Mr Adams in the United States, allegedly related to the illegal acquisition of vehicles. In the long run, the suspect was arrested by operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the EFCC upon his return to Nigeria.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

A few passengers on a Warri-Itakpe train were feared to have died on Monday in a derailment, which affected at least four coaches. Some of the passengers were also said to have suffered some degree of injury.

This was confirmed by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) in a statement today.

The unfortunate incident involved the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS), the agency stated, though it did not confirm the number of human casualties.

However, it noted that emergency response teams and relevant authorities were at the scene attending to the situation and providing necessary assistance.

“The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirms that an incident involving the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) occurred today.

“Emergency response teams and relevant authorities are currently at the scene attending to the situation and providing necessary assistance,” the chief executive of the organisation, Mr Kayode Opeifa, said in the statement.

“The corporation is closely monitoring developments and a detailed statement will be issued as soon as more information becomes available,” it added.