Banking
How Skye Bank Management Tampered With Figures to Deceive Regulators
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
More information are beginning to emerge on what led to the actual death of Skye Bank Plc few months ago, when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revoked its operating licence and changed it to Polaris Bank.
It was gathered from the preliminary reports of the ongoing investigations of the management of the defunct Skye Bank Plc that the lender’s top shot allegedly carried out serial manipulations of the company’s reports, fraudulently masking details with the sole aim of deceiving regulators, including the CBN and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).
According to Guardian, the preliminary reports specifically identified fraudulent and false accounting, manipulation of accounting records to present false profits and ratios, unlawful loan and credit facilities, non-disclosure of directors’ interests and lending beyond the single obligor limit.
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), in a disclosure, said it is currently monitoring the investigations in conjunction with the apex bank, which are ongoing, by the law enforcement agencies, against the directors and management of the failed bank, to determine their actual level of culpability.
In the evening of Friday, September 21, 2018, Governor of the CBN, Mr Godwin Emefiele, at a news conference, announced the revocation of Skye Bank licence.
During the announcement, Mr Emefiele said a bridge bank called Polaris Bank had been established to assume ownership of the assets and liabilities of Skye Bank and make sure it gets back on its feet and return to profitability.
On Monday, September 24, 2018, the NSE suspended trading on the shares of Skye Bank at the stock market.
Days later, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Mr Umaru Ibrahim, while speaking at a function in Lagos, said a former chairman of Skye Bank, Mr Tunde Ayeni, as well as a director of the defunct bank, Mr Festus Fadeyi, were being investigated by government.
He had said as soon as investigations were finalised, the necessary action would be taken and those found culpable severely dealt with.
In early October 2018, Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, directed the CBN and NDIC to fully investigate and prosecute all the directors and executive management who contributed to the collapse of Skye Bank as well as other Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in liquidation.
She had noted that the failure of Skye Bank must be used as an opportunity to deal decisively with those behind the collapse so as to serve as a deterrent to other operators in the financial system and according to her, federal government was no longer prepared to treat such serious infractions with levity.
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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