First Bank: FG’s charge made to embarrass us

GHL, Senior staff, FBN Holdings, ESG, First Bank

The First Bank of Nigeria Limited says the charge against it by the Federal Government was an attempt to embarrass the bank.

The Star had earlier reported that the Federal Government filed a three-count charge against First Bank, its Managing Director, and three others before a High Court sitting in Abuja over allegations bordering on forgery.

The defendants in charge No: CV/266/2023 and filed by a deputy director from the Federal Ministry of Justice, Dr Christian Erhaboh, include two lawyers, Muftua Ande and Dibiaezue Chuks; First Bank of Nigeria; Managing Director of First Bank of Nigeria; and the Branch Manager of the Utako branch of the bank.

The defendants were accused of forging a “tripartite legal mortgage without the consent of the proprietor of Whiteplain British School, Mr Francis Chukwumah Nwufor, with intent to commit fraud.”

They were also accused of dishonestly dispossessing Nwufor of his property using the forged tripartite legal mortgage.

Reacting, First Bank, in a statement issued on Thursday, March 30, said the matter is sub-judice, adding that the charge was a false allegation made by “a delinquent debtor”.

The bank noted: “Our attention has been drawn to a sponsored sensational report by some online publications on a charge brought against the bank.

“While we will not be able to offer further comments as the matter is sub-judice, suffice it to say that the basis of the charge is a spurious allegation made by a delinquent debtor with the intention of embarrassing the bank and tainting the bank’s loan recovery efforts and legal enforcement of its security collateral interest in accordance with the terms thereof.

“We wish to assure our numerous customers, stakeholders, and the general public that First Bank operates by the highest standards of ethical conduct and will under no circumstances involve itself in any act of illegality just as it will take necessary legal steps to check any attempt by recalcitrant debtors to fritter away depositors’ funds under its custody.

“Furthermore, First Bank remains focused on its mission of providing the best financial services to its numerous customers,” the statement read.

The Star