EFCC arrests bank’s manager for hoarding N29m new notes

An Operations Manager of a leading commercial bank in Abuja Central Area was on Monday, February 6, 2023, arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC).

The bank manager was arrested for refusing to load the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) of the bank despite having N29 million of the redesigned Naira notes in the branch’s vaults.

Before he was whisked away for further questioning, the operatives ordered the loading of all the ATMs and the payment of the stipulated amount across the counter to the delight of the distraught customers who had spent hours on queues without getting the new notes.

The anti-graft agency combed five banks during the operations.

Head, Media and Publicity of EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said this discovery, which indicates a sabotage of the government’s monetary policy by some banks, was made by the EFCC in continuation of the ongoing surveillance and visit to banks across the country to access their vaults and verify whether they were deliberately refusing to dispense the redesigned Naira notes.

“More than five bank branches were covered today by the operatives in Abuja. Similar exercises were ongoing in Zonal Commands across the country.

“The operation will continue until normalcy is restored to the banking system.

Nigerians finding it difficult to access their funds at any bank and suspects foul play should contact the commission, for immediate intervention,” Uwajaren said.

The Star