By Dipo Olowookere
One of the major lenders in Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), has reacted to news of the arrest of one of its customers, Mr Innocent Chukwuma, owner of Innoson Motors, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a statement released on Thursday, the bank denied influencing the arrest of the business mogul with the anti-graft agency.
GTBank, which described itself as a “law abiding corporate citizen,” emphasised that “law enforcement agencies are constitutionally empowered to take necessary and appropriate action.”
The bank urged “the general public to disregard rumours, innuendoes and false statements that are being spread by mischievous elements both in the news and social media,” saying it does not “comment on matters that are under investigation by the law enforcement agencies or in court.”
While reiterating its commitment “to providing best-in-class customer experience to all its valued customers,” GTBank said as a custodian of depositors’ funds, it “would jealously protect such funds and take appropriate steps to recover debts from any recalcitrant debtor.”
Read the full statement below:
The attention of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. (“the Bank”) has been drawn to publications in the news and social media which purports to accuse the Bank of being behind the arrest of one of its customers.
The Bank as a law abiding corporate citizen reserves the right at all times to report any untoward/ criminal activity to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agencies for investigation subsequent to which the said Law Enforcement Agencies are constitutionally empowered to take necessary and appropriate action.
The Bank does not comment on matters that are under investigation by the Law Enforcement Agencies or in Court as that may be interpreted as overreaching either the Law Enforcement Agencies or the Courts. The Bank therefore advises the general public to disregard rumours, innuendoes and false statements that are being spread by mischievous elements both in the news and social media.
The Bank would however not be deterred from pursuing appropriate actions either in respect of its delinquent loans or reporting any untoward/criminal activity for investigation by the appropriate authorities. The Bank as a custodian of depositors’ funds .views its duties to depositors with a high sense of responsibility and would jealously protect such funds and take appropriate steps to recover debts from any recalcitrant debtor.
The Bank remains committed to providing best-in-class customer experience to all its valued customers.
Modupe Gbadeyanka 
Aduragbemi Omiyale