|
Trapped deposits: EFCC probes SGBN
By Chuks Ehirim,
Senior Correspondent, Abuja
Depositors whose funds were trapped in
the ailing Societe Generale Bank of Nigeria (SGBN) have been told not to lose
hope as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has waded into the
matter in a bid to find out what went wrong in the bank.
One of the hardest hit among depositors
with the bank is captain of the national team, Austin “Jay Jay”
Okocha, who had his one million dollars trapped in the bank.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday,
at ParkView Hotel, Abuja, Managing Director, National Deposit Insurance
Corporation (NDIC), Mr. Ganiyu Ogunleye, said the bank is under investigations
by law enforcement agents.
He denied allegations that the NDIC is
protecting the bank’s chairman and governor of Kwara State, Bukola
Saraki. Ogunleye explained that the bank is out of clearing, has liquidity
problem and has since not engaged in any meaningful business. He stated that
investigations were conducted on the bank and in the course of doing that,
there were issues that required the assistance of the law enforcement agents.
He added that it is when EFCC concludes
its investigations that the NDIC would be in a position to know who is liable
and who is not. He said that Okocha is not the only depositor whose money was
trapped in the bank, but lamented that it is unfortunate that this had to
happen to the international soccer star.
The NDIC boss however advised Nigerians,
whether at home or abroad, to make wise decisions before going into any
investment.
“Whether a Nigerian is in the
diaspora or at home, the point is, people should be circumspect in making their
business or investment decisions”.
Ogunleye advised those whose monies are
trapped in the bank to seek redress from appropriate quarters, adding that the
bank’s license has not been revoked, neither has it been liquidated.
“The owners of the bank are liable to pay depositors. Until regulatory
interventions take place and the bank’s license is determined, the
shareholders or owners of the bank or the management of the bank are liable to
pay depositors. So maybe, whoever is aggrieved can seek redress from
appropriate quarters”, he said.
|
