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Experts, Stakeholders Association React to Baseless, Unfounded Allegations Against GTCO

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GTCO Food and Drink 2024

Stakeholders and financial industry experts have reacted to the series of allegations against Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc.

A civic organization, Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), had on Friday, September 4, 2024, released a Private Investigative Report signed by its President, Edwin Omaga, alleging a series of “unscrupulous, unethical and criminal activities” against Guaranty Trust Bank Limited, the flagship subsidiary of the GTCO group.

The report, which has been actively circulating in social media showing the leadership of GICN in a prolonged press conference on the subject matter, highlighted damning allegations of corporate misconduct which many social media followers have strongly commented on.

However, GTCO has refuted the allegations and described the report as false.

In a statement made available to THEWILL by the group’s head of corporate communications, Charles Eremi, the foremost financial services group said GICN set out to create a false narrative about the GTCO brand and its management.

“Being a responsible corporate citizen and a first-class institution, GTCO Plc has taken swift and decisive legal actions against the various sources of these false reports,” the statement read, adding “We will continue to use the full extent of the rule of law available to safeguard our reputation.”

“Based on the incessant release of false news reports on GTCO’s business activities, Results and its Management Team, it has become necessary to set the records straight and dispel attempts by certain groups to create a false narrative about the GTCO Brand and its Management.

“The false news articles which are being sponsored using the media, centre around baseless allegations against the Group’s business activities and its Executive Management.

“We urge all our Customers, Shareholders and Stakeholders to kindly disregard all the allegations being peddled through various media platforms and handles. All of our Executive Management team continue to operate in their full capacities as appointed, and are not under any financial or regulatory scrutiny as alleged,” the statement reads.

An investment expert and chairman of the Trusted Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Mukhtar Mukhtar condemned the development as a calculated attempt by the GICN group to pull down one of Nigeria’s major financial services institutions.

In a telephone chat with THEWILL, Mukhtar lamented over the deliberate efforts of some people to pull down an institution like GT Bank without considering the consequences – loss of employment, negative impact on investors’ assets and depositors’ funds as well as the support to the economy through granting loans and advances to customers.

“GT Bank is one of the strongest new-generation banks. It has been making profits over the years paying dividends to the shareholders, providing employment to Nigerians and giving value to investors. Much as I would not condone wrongdoing, I do not believe that a reputable institution would descend so low to dabble in such wrongdoings it is being accused of,” he said.

He added: “There are better ways of approaching a matter like this, such as petitioning the various regulatory bodies instead of coming to the media to malign a reputable institution like GT Bank.”

The National Coordinator of Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Boniface Okezie, lambasted the accusing group for wrongfully playing the role of the regulator. He noted that banking is a highly regulated sector and that no such misdemeanour could happen in a financial services institution without being detected.

“I watched the press conference online. I do not believe the allegations. Who is the group making the allegation? Are they the regulators of the industry? You don’t call a press conference to malign an institution. It is uncalled for; I do not believe in the rumours being spread by those people and I urge the public not to believe them, either.

“The CBN is there, the NDIC, the Financial Reporting Council – are all there. If a customer has a complaint, he knows where to take it to. And that will be resolved. GT Bank is a strategic and important institution in the financial services industry and should not be maligned for any reason,” Okezie told THEWILL by telephone.

In his reaction, Dr Paul Uzum, a stockbroker and investment expert urged Nigerians to dispel the rumour being spread against GT Bank. He told THEWILL via telephone that GT Bank is a very strong and strategic bank that cannot be associated with the allegations being peddled by the accusing group.

He said, ‘GT Bank is one of the strategically cut-out banks. If anything happens to GT Bank, the market is gone because we do not have many of its kind in the industry. How many companies do we have like that? They are one of the flagships in the market and cannot be pushed over in terms of performance and corporate governance. The story must have been sponsored by an aggrieved party, but that is not the right way to go about it.”

Sam Ndata, an investment expert and Doyen of the Stockbrokers urged Nigerians and others not to rush into believing the allegations without proof because that would be injurious to the corporate image of GT Bank

GTCO reported an impressive result in its H1 2024 performance. It posted a profit before tax of N1.004 trillion, becoming the first Nigerian financial institution to cross the N1 trillion mark in profit. This milestone figure represents an increase of 206.6% over N327.4 billion recorded in the corresponding period ended June 2023.

The Group’s loan book (net) Increased by 25.5% from N8trillion recorded as of December 2023 to N3.11trillion in June 2024, while deposit liabilities grew by 39.8% from N7.55trillion in December 2023 to N10.55trillion in June 2024.

Culled from The Will

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Zabira Repositions Self as The People’s Wallet

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By Aduragbemi Omiyale

A digital assets exchange, Zabira Technologies, has rebranded to reposition itself as The People’s Wallet and Africa’s trusted digital asset hub.

At a media event organised on Tuesday in Lagos to mark its sixth anniversary, the company said its adoption of a new brand identity underscores a renewed commitment to clarity, trust, and accessibility, aligning with the its mission to become Africa’s most reliable digital asset hub.

Zabira Technologies is one of the financial services providers in Nigeria established in 2019 as a simple wallet solution.

Since its inception the firm has evolved into comprehensive digital payments and asset exchange platform, enabling individuals and businesses to seamlessly acquire, store, swap, and grow their digital assets.

Guided by innovation and a user-first philosophy, Zabira empowers Africans to take control of their financial journey anytime, anywhere.

Whether stepping into crypto for the first time or seeking smarter, faster, and more reliable ways to transact, Zabira brings speed, security, and simplicity to every interaction.

“With this new identity, we are making crypto and digital payments more accessible for everyday Africans. Zabira is redefining how people interact with digital assets—offering everything from seamless crypto exchanges and competitive gift card trading to utility bill payments and cross-border transfers. We provide a one-stop platform for secure, efficient, and hassle-free transactions,” the Head of Marketing and Communications at Zabira, Ike Ekemah, stated.

The chief executive of the company, Isaac John, said, “Zabira is expanding its reach across crypto exchange, gift card trading, and bill payments, while staying anchored on our core values captured in the acronym S.P.A.R.K.—Security, where we ensure compliance and safety in every transaction; People, by putting users and our team at the center of everything; Agility, by constantly innovating to deliver fast and seamless solutions; Reliability, through consistent and dependable service; and Knowledge, which empowers us to lead with expertise in digital finance.

“Evolving into The People’s Wallet, Zabira now prioritizes safety, user experience, and financial empowerment. We are positioning ourselves as a reliable and inclusive financial companion for Africans.”

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Access Bank CEO Roosevelt Ogbonna Exits Access Holdings Board

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By Adedapo Adesanya

Access Holdings Plc has announced that Mr Roosevelt Ogbonna, a Non-Executive Director, has stepped down from the board after three and a half years of service.

The announcement was made in a disclosure filed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited and signed by the Company Secretary, Mr Sunday Ekwochi.

In the statement, the financial institution explained that although Mr Ogbonna is retiring from its board, he will continue to serve as the chief executive of Access Bank Plc, the banking subsidiary of the organisation.

His resignation is aimed at ensuring compliance with the Corporate Governance Guidelines of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for Financial Holding Companies (2023), which stipulate that no more than nine directors can sit on the board of a financial holding company.

The board expressed its gratitude for his “outstanding and continued contributions to the Access Group.”

Mr Ogbonna was appointed to lead Access Bank in May 2022, after serving as Deputy Managing Director from 2017 and Executive Director from 2013. He joined Access Bank in 2002 from Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) and has built up more than two decades of experience in the banking industry.

Beyond his role as CEO, Mr Ogbonna serves on the boards of Access Bank’s subsidiaries in the UK and South Africa and represents the Bank on the boards of Africa Finance Corporation and CSCS Plc.

His background combines both professional and academic achievements. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), an Honorary Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (HCIB), and a CFA charter holder.

As of August 2025, the Board of Access Holdings Plc consists of Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede (Chairman), Mr Bolaji Olaitan Agbede (Acting Group CEO), and Mr Lanre Bamisebi (Executive Director).

The independent non-executive directors are Mr Abubakar Aribidesi Jimoh, Mrs Fatimah Bintah Bello-Ismail, and Mrs Ibironke Adeyemi.

Other members include non-executive directors Mrs Ojinika Nkechinyelu Olaghere and Mr Olusegun Babalola Ogbonnewo.

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Fidelity Bank Limits International Transactions on Naira Card to $1,000 Per Quarter

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By Aduragbemi Omiyale

Customers of Fidelity Bank Plc can now “spend up to $1,000 quarterly for international POS and online transactions,” the lender’s Divisional Head of eBanking, Ms Ifeoma Onibuje.

She was quoted as revealing this in a statement issued to announce the bank’s resumption of international transactions on its Naira debit cards.

Due to foreign exchange (FX) liquidity squeeze in the country, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) earlier stopped financial institutions from allowing their local debit cards to be used by customers for offshore spending.

This restriction was removed this year after over two years of suspension, giving customers the freedom to make seamless payments abroad, online, and at ATMs outside the country.

“We are delighted to inform the public that Fidelity Naira Cards are now enabled for global use. This means that our travelling customers can now utilize their Naira Debit cards outside the country to shop, spend and withdraw internationally without hassles.”

“Consequently, our customers can now spend up to $1,000 quarterly for international POS and online transactions; and withdraw up to $500 quarterly on international ATMs,” Ms Onibuje stated.

The announcement offers Fidelity Bank customers another way to complete international transactions, in addition to the Bank’s existing foreign currency debit and credit cards. This further reinforces Fidelity Bank’s commitment to delivering solutions that fit seamlessly into customers’ lifestyles. With Fidelity Bank’s VISA and Mastercard Naira Debit Cards, Nigerians can now enjoy effortless global access.

Beyond payments, Fidelity VISA cardholders, one of the variants of the bank’s card offerings, also enjoy premium travel and lifestyle benefits ranging from airport lounge and spa access via the Visa Airport Companion App, to fast-track immigration lanes and 20% discounts on SIXT car rentals worldwide.

This move reflects the bank’s commitment to provide secure, convenient, and reliable banking services that empower customers in Nigeria and beyond. The bank has deliberately made the process of getting a Fideity Naira card seamless. Customers can easily apply for their Fidelity VISA or Mastercard Naira Debit card via the Fidelity Mobile App or simply visit the nearest Fidelity bank branch to request for one and they can start transacting globally with ease.

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