Banking
N5.5bn Debt: Ecobank Floors Honeywell At Supreme Court
Ecobank scored a major victory at the Supreme Court on Friday as it won in a N5.5 billion debt dispute against Honeywell and its sister firms, Anchorage Leisures Ltd and Siloam Global Ltd.
The Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by Honeywell Flour Mills Limited challenging the judgement of the Court of Appeal in the debt dispute with Ecobank Nigeria Limited.
The five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Tijjani Abubakar, delivered the judgement that Honeywell, Anchorage, and Siloam were indeed indebted to Ecobank.
In the lead judgement delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the Supreme Court declared the verdict of the Court of Appeal, which said Honeywell and its sister companies are still indebted to Ecobank.
“I affirm the judgment of the Court of Appeal, setting aside the decision of the Federal High Court, granting the reliefs claimed for by the appellants (Honeywell).
“I hold that the appellants’ claim at the trial court fails, and it is hereby dismissed. “The appellants shall pay the cost of N1 million to the respondent (Ecobank),” Justice Agim said.
By the instant judgment of the apex court confirming the indebtedness of the named customers to the bank, the lender can now proceed to recover from the debtor customers the total outstanding debt of N5.5 billion, including all the accrued interest from 2015.
In the wake of the legal tussle, Mr Oba Otudeko, Honeywell Group chairman, had told a Court of Appeal that the sum was owed by individual companies. These companies include Anchorage Leisures Limited, Siloam Limited, and Honeywell Flour Mills Plc.
Mr Otudeko maintained that his companies had paid N3.5 billion as of December 12, 2013, as the full and final payment for the N5.5 billion debt as agreed by the parties at a July 22, 2013, meeting. With the latest Supreme Court judgement, the companies remain indebted to the bank.
Background
On August 6, 2015, Honeywell and its sister firms, Anchorage Leisures Ltd and Siloam Global Ltd, sued Ecobank before the Federal High Court in Lagos over repayments of a N5.5 billion debt.
In the suit, the companies urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to declare that “having paid the sum of N3.5 billion in cumulative settlement of their total outstanding indebtedness” (of N5.5 billion) to Ecobank, “they owned no further debt obligation” to Ecobank “arising from their banker-customer relationships.”
As a result, they also asked the court to hold that Ecobank “was obligated to issue letters of discharge, release collaterals by which the prior indebtedness was secured.” In addition, Honeywell and its sister companies begged the court to compel Ecobank to “update” their status on the “Credit Risk Management System Portal of the Central Bank of Nigeria.”
But in its defence, Ecobank argued that an agreement was reached between it, Honeywell, Anchorage and Siloam on July 22, 2013, “for a definite settlement of N3.5 billion to be paid in terms of N500 million immediately and the balance of N3 billion before the exit of the CBN examiners from” Ecobank’s offices. Ecobank had contended that the repayment agreement period was for six months as it rejected Honeywell and its sister companies’ request to “pay the balance over a one-and-half-year period in three equal half-yearly instalments.”
The bank informed the court that the debt repayment agreement “lapsed in August 2013.” But in its judgement, the judge, Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court, upheld the arguments of the Honeywell Group and granted their prayers.
Dissatisfied with the verdict, Ecobank in 2015 approached the Court of Appeal. In its decision, the appellate court overturned the judgement of the Federal High Court, setting the stage for the Supreme Court’s appeal, which was resolved in favour of the bank.
By Dipo Olowookere
Ecobank Nigeria Limited has taken a significant step to ensure its customers get cheap personal loans by partnering with the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CrediCorp).
The service is available to civil servants and private-sector employees whose salaries are paid through Ecobank.
New customers can also benefit upon presentation of employer undertaking to pay subsequent salaries through Ecobank.
Starting this January, the initiative provides flexible repayment options and a streamlined loan application process.
These loans can be used to finance a variety of personal needs, including paying school fees, rent, maintenance costs, medical bills, car purchase and repairs, asset purchase, and more.
The loans come with affordable interest rates, a two-year term, and a repayment plan that ensures equal monthly instalments, including principal and interest, do not change throughout the life of the facility, regardless of the economic situation of the country.
According to the Head of Consumer Banking at Ecobank Nigeria, Ms Adeola Ogunyemi, the loans will provide salary earners, both in the public and private sectors, with better access to financial products.
“This collaboration is an excellent opportunity to serve our customers, and we believe it will improve the quality of life for many Nigerians.
“Eligible customers can use the loans to purchase electronics, solar systems, or CNG vehicle conversions, as well as for other essential expenses like school fees, rent, upkeep, medical bills, and car maintenance.
“We encourage working-class Nigerians to open an account with Ecobank to benefit from this initiative,” Ms Ogunyemi stated.
CrediCorp, a Development Finance Institution (DFI) established by the federal government, is focused on enhancing access to consumer credit for Nigeria’s workforce.
Under the partnership, CrediCorp will provide funds to Ecobank, for on-lending to qualified customers.
The arrangement covers personal loans, as well as asset financing for items like solar systems, home appliances, phones, laptops etc. and vehicle conversions to compressed natural gas (CNG).
Ecobank Nigeria is part of the Ecobank Group, a leading pan-African banking organization. The bank provides a full range of financial services to individuals, businesses, and institutions through its network of over 240 branches and 35,000 Xpress Point agencies across Nigeria.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
No fewer than 131 customers of Wema Bank Plc will win N11 million in cash prize in the company’s 5 for 5 promo season 4 monthly draw fixed for Friday, January 24, 2025, in Warri, Delta State.
According to a statement from the lender, from the 131 customers, 80 of them will win N25,000 each, 40 will win N100,000 each, eight domiciliary account holders will win N250,000 each and three will get N1 million each, with one to be from Warri, venue of the event.
The 5 for 5 promo selects winners from the bank’s pool of active and transacting customers, via thoroughly regulated electronic live draws.
The first 3 seasons saw the Wema Bank 5 for 5 Promo disburse over N150 million to 2,378 Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, and with the launch of Season 4 on October 1, 2024, Wema Bank raised the bar, setting aside a whopping N135 million for disbursement this season alone.
So far, over 1,000 Nigerians have won cash prizes in daily, weekly and monthly draws, with 540 customers winning in 55 daily draws, 550 customers winning in 11 weekly draws and 262 customers winning in 2 monthly draws; totalling over N27 million disbursed so far.
The third monthly draw of the season, which also happens to be the first monthly draw of 2025, is set to hold this January in Warri, and another 131 winners will emerge from the draw.
“The goal for us with the Wema Bank 5 for 5 promo is giving back, providing support and rewarding our loyal customers, it’s been one of the key means through which we say ‘thank you’ as a Bank, and four years strong so far, it’s only gotten better with each season.
“We made millionaires in December ahead of Christmas and it was heartwarming to hear from our amazing customers how instrumental these rewards were in sorting out some bills. Now, we are even more ready to kickstart 2025 on a millionaire note,” the chief executive of Wema Bank, Mr Moruf Oseni, said.
“As a tradition, the 5 for 5 Promo continues to tour different locations across the six geopolitical zones, however, our winners are always selected from across the country. So even though one of the millionaires will be from Warri where this draw will hold, there’s still room for two more millionaires and over 120 more winners of cash ranging from N25,000 to N250,000.
“The joy for us is in the smiles that are made, the stories that are positively impacted and the hope that these cash rewards bring to the winners; from students to small business owners, working professionals, and so on.
“We are all too familiar with the running ‘100 days of January’ reality that plagues a lot of us after the heavy spending that comes with December, so this draw is the perfect opportunity to support our customers beyond the daily and weekly draws that we hold every other weekday.
“I congratulate the winners in advance, and I encourage every new and existing Wema Bank customer to seize this opportunity and start transacting today. The 5 for 5 promo is as transparent as can be, so anyone can win, provided they meet the minimum requirements,” he added.
By Dipo Olowookere
The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has completed its scheduled routine system maintenance on its card service.
The financial institution over the weekend informed its customers of a scheduled maintenance on its card service from 12 am to 5 am of Sunday, January 19, 2025.
Customers were told that the action could make them experience service disruption while using the UBA cards for financial transactions.
The lender said it was carrying out the maintenance for better service delivery, apologising for any issue they may encounter during the period.
“In line with our commitment to provide you with exceptional experience and to enable us to serve you better, we will be carrying out a scheduled routine maintenance on our card services.
“During this period, you may not be able to use your Debit & Credit Card. Please use our alternative channels, LEO, *919#, Mobile App or Internet Banking for transactions
“An update will be provided as soon as the maintenance is completed.
“We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please be assured that we are committed to providing you with excellent banking services,” the notice earlier sent to customers said.
After the completion of the process, UBA mailed another statement to customers, informing them they could use their cards without any issue.
“We are pleased to inform you that our scheduled routine system maintenance has been completed.
“You can now enjoy safer and quicker transactions on our card service.
“We regret any inconvenience you may have experienced, and assure you of our commitment to continuously provide you with excellent service,” the statement sighted by Business Post read.
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