Banking

Coronation Merchant Bank Staff in Kirikiri Prison for N700m Fraud

Published

7 years ago

07/03/2018

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A former Relationship Officer of Coronation Merchant Bank, Mr Nsa Ayi, has been remanded in Kirikiri prison, Lagos pending the hearing of his bail application.

The suspect was arraigned on Monday, February 26, 2018, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja.

The anti-graft agency dragged Mr Ayi before Justice Mojisola Dada on an 11-count charge bordering on fraudulent false accounting to the tune of N700 million, an offence contrary to Section 335(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

The defendant was alleged to have connived with unknown parties to move funds using customers’ electronic instructions meant for investment in the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Bonds, Treasury Bills and Fixed Deposits.

He was also said to have altered instructions and falsified signatures of customers to transfer money into various accounts outside the bank.

The money was allegedly transferred in tranches into the defendant’s GTBank account No. 0001600855 as well as his Zenith Bank account No. 1002771899.

“That you, Nsa Ayi, on or about 4th day of February, 2015, being an employee of Coronation Merchant Bank, in Lagos within the Lagos Judicial Division with intent to defraud, falsified account No. 1990000158 belonging to African Alliance Insurance Plc in possession of your employer by debiting the said account to the tune of N172, 076, 712.33, using an instruction which you purported to have been issued by the said African Alliance Insurance Plc,” one counts read.

“That you, Nsa Ayi, on or about 13th day of January, 2014, being an employee of Coronation Merchant Bank, in Lagos within the Lagos Judicial Division with intent to defraud, falsified account No. 2990001176 belonging to Ogunjemiyo E. Mascot in possession of your employer by debiting the said account to the tune of N4, 277, 000.00, using an instruction which you purported to have been issued by Ogunjemiyo E. Mascot,” another count read.

However, when the charges were read to him, the accused person pleaded not guilty and in view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Nnemeka Omewa, asked the court for a trial date and also prayed the court to remand the defendant in prison custody.

But the defence counsel, B.A. Ayeni, informed the court of a pending application for bail on behalf of his client.

However, in his response, the prosecution counsel, Omewa, opposed the bail application, saying that “he is a flight-risk who had plans to relocate with his entire family to the United States of America last year, if not for the timely response in arresting him by the EFCC.”

Omewa further informed the court that there was no document showing that the defendant’s son was critically ill to warrant him being flown abroad for treatment.

“My Lord, the defendant’s health is very much okay, as he was well fed in the EFCC custody,” the prosecution counsel added.

After listening to both parties, Justice Dada ruled that if the defendant’s son was truly ill and needed medical treatment abroad, the defendant should not be pleading with the court to allow him travel out with his entire family only to treat his son.

“I, therefore, conclude that the defendant is a flight-risk as put before the court by the prosecution.

“There is no guarantee of him coming back to Nigeria, if he had travelled out with his family, despite booking for return tickets,” Justice Dada held.

Consequently, Justice Dada adjourned the case to March 6, 26, 29 and April 16 and 27, 2018 for commencement of trial.

Banking

N200bn Fund Raising: Invest in us for High Returns—Wema Bank

Published

2 days ago

24/01/2025

Aduragbemi Omiyale

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The chief executive of Wema Bank Plc, Mr Moruf Oseni, assured shareholders and other stakeholders that putting money in the company would not lead to biting of fingers.

Speaking ahead of the planned raising of about N200 billion in the second quarter of this year, he boasted that Wema Bank has everything to put smiles on the faces of investors.

The lender intends to commence its rights issue and special placement for about N200 billion on April 1, 2025, to complete the recapitalisation requirement of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Last year, in the first tranche, Wema Bank raised N40 billion, with the second phase expected to surpass the minimum capital base of the regulator.

“We stand strong today not just as Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank but also as Nigeria’s leading innovative bank.

“Wema Bank turns 80 this year and I can safely tell you that we have never been more driven to excel. I am blessed to lead with the support of a team of determined and driven professionals who will leave no stone unturned in achieving our strategic aspirations.

“Indeed, we are building Wema Bank into a formidable force in the African financial services landscape.

“We remain dedicated to maintaining transparency throughout this process and will provide regular updates to all stakeholders and shareholders as we go forward.

“This capital raise will be a win-win for us all. You can trust as always that your investment in Wema Bank will produce exceeding returns. This is our promise to you,” Mr Oseni said.

With the deadline for CBN’s recapitalisation exercise set for March 31, 2026, this move by Wema Bank will undoubtedly ensure the bank retains its national banking license way ahead of the deadline

Reaffirming its stance as a bank committed to transparency and adherence to regulatory standards, Wema Bank is working to secure all necessary approvals from relevant regulatory authorities to ensure the process is conducted in full compliance with applicable guidelines.

Banking

Visa Invests $10m in Moniepoint to Deepen Financial Inclusion

Published

3 days ago

23/01/2025

Adedapo Adesanya

By Adedapo Adesanya

Global financial payments giant, Visa, has made a strategic investment of $10 million in Nigerian fintech unicorn, Moniepoint, to expand its services and deepen financial inclusion on the African continent.

This development comes three months after Moniepoint raised $110 million in a Series C funding round that made the company a unicorn.

With the new play, Visa joins other investors, including Development Partners International, Google’s Africa Investment Fund, Verod Capital, Lightrock, QED Investors, Novastar Ventures, British International Investment (BII), FMO (the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank), Global Ventures and Endeavor Catalyst as equity partners.

This partnership will combine Moniepoint’s local expertise and innovative business model with Visa’s global resources and capabilities to offer payment solutions to businesses and entities.

Moniepoint provides banking and payment services to small and medium businesses and retail banking. It is one of the market leaders in Nigeria’s agent banking space, with over 300,000 POS agents and has processed billions of transactions since it was founded in 2015.

The new Visa’s investment will further help Moniepoint expand its services and deepen financial inclusion on a continent that still has a comparatively low rate of financial services adoption.

Moniepoint will leverage Visa’s Cybersource system to gain better visibility into transactions. Additionally, it plans to integrate with Visa Direct for remittances and money transfers as it looks to expand into markets within and outside Africa.

Speaking on the move, Mr Tosin Eniolorunda, Founder and Group CEO of Moniepoint said, “Visa’s backing is a strong endorsement of our vision to digitize and support African businesses at scale.

“We aim to deepen financial inclusion, enabling SMEs to access the tools and resources they need to thrive in an increasingly digital economy.”

On his part, Mr Andrew Torre, Regional President, Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa at Visa, noted that, “Moniepoint has built an impressive platform that directly addresses the needs of Africa’s SMEs, a critical segment in enabling economic development.

”By making financial services and digital payments more accessible and efficient, Moniepoint is helping transform how businesses operate in Nigeria and beyond.

“We are excited to support their next phase of growth and innovation,” he added.

Banking

Bankit MFB Engages Partners to Expand Loan, Gaming Services

Published

3 days ago

23/01/2025

Dipo Olowookere

By Dipo Olowookere

Efforts are being made by the management of a rapidly growing financial technology (fintech) company,

Bankit Microfinance Bank (MFB), to grow its loan and gaming services.

The firm said this is one of its targets for 2025 to solidify its position as a leading platform for comprehensive, simplified banking activities after it recorded remarkable growth in 2024 with different milestones as a result of its competitive edge and cutting-edge technology.

The digital financial services provider said it was already talking to its various partners on how to ensure customers get more access to credit facilities for different needs.

It said nothing would be spared to revolutionise digital banking in Nigeria, especially with a focus on innovation, customer protection, and financial inclusion.

Last year, Bankit MFB, within its first few weeks of operations, successfully registered over 50,000 users on its platform, a testament to its innovative simple banking approach to digital banking.

This year, the small lender has an ambitious plan to increase this by 900 per cent to a record 500,000 businesses in 2025.

Business Post gathered that in 2024, the financial institution recorded impressive transaction values, exceeding N100 million, with an impressive 90 per cent transaction success rate.

Since joining the business, it has introduced web banking and other innovative banking products, with more in development.

With the financial services sector not immune to fraud, Bankit MFB said it prioritises the protection of customers’ funds, expressing its commitment to diversifying its digital services to enhance customer experience.

Bankit MFB is a financial institution licenced to operate in the country by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which is dedicated to providing innovative, customer-centric financial solutions to individuals and others.