Banking
Bank CEOs, Others Jittery Over EFCC Asset Declaration Directive
By Dipo Olowookere
Some executives of financial institutions, including the Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in Nigeria, are jittery over a new directive of the nation’s chief anti-money laundering agency.
On March 16, 2021, the newly appointed chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Abdulrashed Bawa, said employees of financial institutions in the country, including their CEOs, have till June 1, 2021, to declare their assets.
Mr Bawa said this when he addressed newsmen after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The EFCC boss said the failure of any banker in the country to declare his/her assets by the deadline will result in imprisonment for a term of 10 years as stipulated by the law.
The directive has legal backing
He told journalists that the Bank Employees, ETC. (Declaration of Assets) Act 1986 mandates every employee of a bank to make full disclosure of assets upon employment, and annually in subsequent years.
According to him, section 7 (1) of the law stipulates that, “It shall be an offence for an employee of a bank to own assets in excess of his legitimate known and provable income.”
He added that section 7(2) emphasised that, “Any employee guilty of an offence under subsection (1) of this section shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for 10 years and shall, in addition, forfeit the excess assets or its equivalent in money to the federal government.”
Reason for the order
Mr Bawa said his agency is triggering these provisions to sanitize the nation’s financial system and block some of the loopholes currently being exploited by unscrupulous players in the sector to undermine Nigerian economy through money laundering and illicit financial flows.
He said the EFCC was determined to tackle money laundering in the country and bring sanity into the financial system.
Bank executives already jittery
But since this information was revealed yesterday, some bank executives have been nervous and sources close to some of them informed Business Post that efforts are being made to lobby powerbrokers in the country to push the deadline forward.
“I can tell you that this statement by the EFCC chairman is not going down well with a lot of bank executives.
“I can also tell you for a fact that some of them are making efforts to clean up their tracks and possibly talk to those in power to extend the June 1 deadline.
“To them, the timeframe is too short and they believe it should be moved forward except the EFCC chair wants to use this as a vendetta,” one of the sources told this newspaper.
Another said, “I am not surprised this is coming from the EFCC chairman. He is vast in financial crimes and forensic. He has handled cases of high-profile Nigerians and he knows how senior bankers help politicians to launder money.
“A few of us saw this coming and we expect more from him because he knows the game very well. He has already thrown many top executives of banks into confusion with this directive. I think it is good for the financial sector.”
Buhari supports directive
But it is not certain how these CEOs and executives would go about it as the President fully supports the EFCC chairman on this directive.
Mr Bawa, according to information gathered, was in Abuja yesterday to discuss this issue with him and by informing State House Correspondents of the development shows that he has the full banking of Mr Buhari.
President Buhari has not hidden his desire to clean up the country of corruption. In fact, it is one of the key targets of his administration and he has been fighting corruption vigorously since he assumed office in 2019.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reaffirmed that the old and new Naira notes will continue to be used for financial transactions in the country beyond December 31, 2024.
There had been rumours that the old and redesigned N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes would no longer be legal tender from Wednesday, January 1, 2025, because the central bank would phase out the notes in compliance with a Supreme Court judgement of November 29, 2023.
But the apex bank, in a statement signed by its acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs Hakama Ali, on Friday, clarified that the apex court’s judgement being cited did not authorise the bank to phase out the banknotes by the end of this year.
According to her, the court allowed the CBN to leave the old and new notes to be used concurrently until it decides to gradually phase out the former.
The central bank’s spokesperson urged members of the public to disregard claims suggesting the old series of these denominations would cease to be valid at the end of this year.
She urged them to continue to accept all Naira notes for daily transactions, encouraging banks to also adopt alternative payment methods such as electronic channels to reduce the pressure on physical cash usage.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has observed the misinformation regarding the validity of the old N1000, N500, and N200 banknotes currently in circulation.
“In line with the bank’s previous clarifications and to offer further assurance, the CBN wishes to reiterate that the subsisting Supreme Court ruling granted on November 29, 2023, permits the concurrent circulation of all versions of the N1000, N500, and N200 denominations of the Naira indefinitely.
“For the avoidance of doubt, all versions of the naira, including the old and new designs of N1000, N500, and N200 denominations, as well as the commemorative and previous designs of the N100 denomination, remain valid and continue to be legal tender without any deadlines,” the statement noted.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Access Bank Plc, the banking subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc, has entered into a binding agreement with South African-based Bidvest Group Limited for the acquisition of 100 per cent equity stake in Bidvest Bank Limited.
The deal for the 24-year-old South African lender is due to be completed in the second half of 2025, upon regulatory approval.
This shows Access Bank’s further expansion plans in line with goals set by its late founder, Mr Herbert Wigwe.
The agreement to acquire 100 percent stake in Bidvest Bank reflects Access Bank’s commitment to strengthening its footprint in South Africa and consolidating on its position as the continent’s gateway to global markets as it seeks to optimise the benefits of recent acquisitions and accelerate its transition towards a greater focus on efficiencies.
Bidvest Bank, founded in 2000 is a niche and profitable South African financial institution providing a diverse range of services, including corporate and business banking solutions and diverse retail banking products.
As of its year ended June 2024, Bidvest Bank reported total assets equivalent of $665million and audited profit before tax of $20million.
Upon conclusion of this acquisition, Bidvest Bank will be merged with the bank’s existing South African subsidiary to create an enlarged platform to anchor the regional growth strategy for the SADC region.
This is coming just as the bank opened a new branch in Malta as part of efforts to focus on international trade finance after obtaining a banking licence from the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA).
Access Bank said the licence marks a transformative milestone in bolstering Europe-Africa trade flows.
The Maltese branch was established by Access Bank UK Limited, the subsidiary of Access Bank Plc, which is also the subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc, which is listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
To strengthen Europe-Africa trade ties, Access Bank has opened a new branch in Malta. It will focus on international trade finance, employing approximately 30 people in its initial phase, with plans for controlled expansion over time.
It was learned that this Maltese branch was established by Access Bank UK Limited, the subsidiary of Access Bank Plc, which is also the subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc, which is listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited.
Access Bank Malta Limited commenced operations after obtaining a banking licence from the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA).
Access Bank said the licence marks a transformative milestone in bolstering Europe-Africa trade flows.
Malta, a renowned international financial centre, and a gateway between the two continents, is strategically positioned to play a pivotal role in advancing commerce and fostering economic partnerships.
This strategic expansion into Malta enables The Access Bank UK Limited to leverage growing trade opportunities between Europe and Africa.
It underscores the organisation’s commitment to driving global trade, financial integration, and supporting businesses across these regions.
“By establishing operations in Malta, we will gain a foothold in a market that bridges European and North African economies, moving us one step closer to our goal of becoming Africa’s Gateway to the World.
“It further enhances our bank’s capacity to support clients with innovative solutions tailored to cross-border trade and investment opportunities,” the chief executive of Access Bank, Mr Roosevelt Ogbonna, stated.
“Europe has emerged as Africa’s leading trading partner, driven by initiatives such as the Economic Partnership Agreements between the EU and African regions and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“With Europe-Africa economic relations entering a new phase, The Access Bank Malta Limited is ideally positioned to deepen trade and meet the financing and banking needs of our clients in these expanding markets,” the chief executive of Access Bank UK, Mr Jamie Simmonds, commented.
Also speaking, the chief executive of Access Bank Malta, Renald Theuma, said, “Malta is uniquely positioned as a bridge between Europe and Africa, making it an ideal location for our subsidiary. This move allows The Access Bank Malta Limited to engage more closely with customers in Europe and deliver tailored financial solutions that drive growth and connectivity across both continents.”
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