Banking
How Heritage Bank Manager Laundered N1.6b Via Son
By Dipo Olowookere
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, September 18, 2018, informed Justice Muhammad Idris of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos how a suspended Branch Manager of Heritage Bank Plc in Yenogoa, Mr Iwejuo Nna Joseph, allegedly concealed funds through his son’s account.
The defendant was arraigned alongside Dudafa Waripamo-Owei, a former Senior Special Adviser on Domestic Matters to former President Goodluck Jonathan, on June 11, 2016, on a 23-count charge of conspiracy to conceal proceeds of crime to the tune of N1.6 billion.
While cross-examining Joseph who gave evidence in his defence, the prosecuting counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, asked him to confirm that he deposited various sums of money including N9.5 million on January 22, 2014 to his son’s bank account.
In response, Mr Joseph, who disclosed that his son was born on December 28, 2006 and that he opened an account for him soon afterwards, answered in the affirmative.
The defendant, also confirmed depositing a sum of N5 million in his son’s account on February 3, 2014, among others.
When asked where the money came from, the defendant said it must have been from the account of Ebiwise Resources owned by his family.
He said a sum of N9 million, for instance, was transferred from his son’s account to the Ebiwise Resources account, which he and his wife jointly operate.
The defendant further stated that his company once got a contract from the Bayelsa State government to construct a Sport Academy building.
“We submitted an application for the job. There were so many buildings and they allocated one to us.
“Our company was paid N41million for the contract by the Bayelsa State government,” he said.
Asked if he disclosed to his bank that he was also a government contractor, Mr Joseph answered in the negative, adding that “I did not disclose it because it was not necessary. But my colleagues knew about the family business.”
He said he was even encouraged by his bank to open bank accounts for his family members as a young marketer.
Also, when the prosecution counsel pointed out to the defendant that he placed a sum of N200 million in a fixed deposit account on October 21, 2013, the defendant replied that he did not know.
When Mr Oyedepo drew his attention to the fact that his salary was N309,000 per month as at then, the defendant responded that he could not remember exactly how much he earned in a year “due to the fact that the monthly package varied.
“I have been on suspension since EFCC began investigating my account.
“I’m not aware that the bank has dismissed me, but I’ve not been going to work because of investigation into this account.
“Since I arrived EFCC on May 10, 2016, I have not been paid.
“The prosecution counsel also pointed out irregularities on the defendant’s Secondary School certificate, wherein his date of birth reads: June 7, 1974, but the defendant told the court that he was born on March 24, 1972.
In view of this, when asked if he ever tried to correct the date with the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WAEC, he answered “No, because I felt it was not necessary.
“I presented the certificate to my then employer (Omega Bank) and i did not think it was necessary to change it because it happened years ago”, he said.
Earlier, while being led in evidence by his counsel, Ige Asemudara, Mr Joseph had denied all the allegations brought against him by the EFCC.
He said he was denied food for two days while in the EFCC custody and was kept incommunicado.
He also claimed that the statements he wrote were not voluntary, but were dictated to him.
He said: “All the statements I made were without a lawyer,” he said.
“They are not true. They’re false, with the intention to intimidate and humiliate me. I urge the court to discharge and acquit me.”
The defendants allegedly used different companies to launder the money between June 2013 and June 2015.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
About N3.6 trillion has been repaid to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) since its inception in 2010.
This information was revealed by the chief executive of AMCON, Mr Gbenga Alade, during a media parley to update the press on the activities of the agency.
Mr Alade said at the moment, the organisation still owes the central bank about N3 trillion for toxic assets of banks in the country.
He praised the organisation for its asset recovery drive, stressing that when compared with others across the world, Nigeria has done well.
“It is important to stress that the corporation has done tremendously well, especially when compared to other notable government-owned Asset Management Corporations around the world.
“Based on the balance at purchase, AMCON outperformed other Asset Management Corporations all over the world by achieving over 87 per cent in recoveries despite the unique challenges associated with debt recovery in Nigeria.
“The Malaysian Danaharta, which is adjudged one of the best performing Asset Management Corporation’s, only achieved 58 per cent. The Chinese Asset Management Corporation, despite its stricter laws, achieved just 33 per cent.
“Only the Korean Asset Management Corporation (KAMCO), South Korea, has achieved more recoveries than AMCON, with about 100 per cent. This was due to their brute force with which they chased the obligors.
“Despite KAMCO’s recovery records, the agency is still operational to date with slight realignments in its mandate.
“Other noted Asset Management Corporations that have transitioned into a perpetual institution of the various governments include, China Asset Management Company, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) USA, and KFW Germany.
“So, gentlemen, without sounding immodest, AMCON has done well, and we will not relent until all the outstanding debts are fully realized,” Mr Alade stated.
On the financial performance of AMCON, he said last year, the firm posted a revenue of N156.25 billion and operating expenses of N29.04 billion, while for the 2025 fiscal year should be a revenue of N215.15 billion and operating expenses of N29.06 billion.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
One of the non-interest banks in Nigeria, The Alternative Bank (AltBank), has opened a new branch in Effurun, Delta State.
The new office will serve the Edo-Delta region and provide purposeful banking and real financial empowerment for individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses, a statement from the firm stated.
The lender disclosed that the Effurun branch is a bold move in its mission to reshape banking in Nigeria.
The launch was graced by key dignitaries, including the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Emmanuel Ekemejewa Sideso Abe I; the Chairman of Uvwie Local Government, Anthony O. Ofoni, represented his vice, Andrew Agagbo; and the Special Adviser to the Governor of Delta State on Community Development, Mr Ernest Airoboyi; amongst others.
The Divisional Head for South at The Alternative Bank, Mr Chukwuemeka Agada, emphasised the institution’s commitment to Warri and its surrounding communities.
“By establishing a presence here, we are initiating a transformation in the way banking serves the people of Delta. Our purpose-driven approach ensures that customers’ financial goals are not just met but exceeded,” he stated.
“This branch represents our pledge to empower Warri’s dynamic businesses and families, providing them with the tools to grow without compromise,” Mr Agada added.
“We understand the heartbeat of this community, and we are excited to integrate our bank into the fabric of this dynamic region,” he stated further.
On his part, the representative of the Ovie, Mr Samuel Eshenake, challenged the bank to facilitate development and employment within the Effurun community.
The Regional Head for Edo/Delta at The Alternative Bank, Mr Akanni Owolabi, embraced this challenge, pledging that the bank will work sustainably to drive local commerce.
“At The Alternative Bank, we are committed to being an active partner in the development of Effurun. We see this branch as a catalyst for creating opportunities, driving employment, and supporting the growth of local businesses.
“Our mission is to empower this community, ensuring that every step forward is one of progress, prosperity, and shared success.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A partnership aimed to enable seamless, real-time and secure transactions for cardholders across Africa and the rest of the world has been entered into by Payattitude and PAPSSCARD, the card scheme initiative of the Pan-African Payment & Settlement System (PAPSS).
The collaboration will allow Payattitude cards issued by banks and other deposit-taking institutions to be co-branded with PAPSSCARD, Discover, Diners and Pulse for acceptance across their networks in Nigeria, Africa and worldwide.
As an initiative of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and a key financial infrastructure supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the PAPSSCARD scheme will facilitate instant cross-border payments in local currencies.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to cross-enterprise alliances and enabling inclusive, efficient, and borderless payments across Africa and the world
“With Payattitude, Nigerian cardholders and financial institutions can now enjoy the benefits of a Nigerian card that can be used worldwide,” a director at Payattitude, Dr Agada Apochi, said.
The acting chief executive of PAPSSCARD, Mr John Bosco Sebabi, said the aim is “to connect African payment ecosystems, reduce the cost and inefficiencies of cross-border payments, and strengthen African sovereignty over payments infrastructure.
“Collaborating with Payattitude, a key innovator in Nigeria’s payment space, represents a significant step towards a more unified African payment landscape.”
The chief executive of PAPSS, Mr Mike Ogbalu, said, “By bringing together PAPSSCARD’s robust cross-border payment capabilities with Payattitude’s leadership in the Nigerian digital payments, we are taking tangible steps toward building a single African market where individuals and businesses can transact easily and securely, both within and beyond Africa.”
Payattitude is the first-in-kind Nigerian Payment Scheme to pioneer multibank App and USSD Code *569#.
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