The managing director/chief executive officer of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc., Dr Marilyn Amobi is in the news again for the wrong reasons, The Witness learnt.

She has been accused of flagrant disobedience to extant circulars and the desperation to allegedly amass wealth illegally thereby leading to her deployment of armed policemen with AK47 to harass and humiliate any staff who refuses to cooperate on her alleged illicit deals.

A staff who spoke on condition of anonymity confided in The Witness that some staff have petitioned the Inspector General of Police on the harassment being suffered from armed policemen stationed on the floors of the Bank of Industry building occupied by NBET at the Central Business Area, Abuja each working day. The policemen, we learnt, are being funded by NBET with taxpayers’ money.



Dr. Amobi, The Witness gathered was said to have bought cars worth over N400million in the last one year without commensurate performance in collections from Electricity Distribution Companies, otherwise called DISCOS. Our source disclosed that all the cars and office relocation expenses in the 2017 budget worth over one billion naira were allegedly procured using over-invoicing, contract splitting to avoid being queried by either the Federal Executive Council or ministerial approval threshold as virtually those procurements were wasteful spending of public funds. More worrisome is the shocking revelation from Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission that the commission was prudent by transferring the vehicle used by the vice chairman of the commission to the newly appointed chairman of NERC so as to minimise wasteful spending of public funds.





The Witness authoritatively gathered that both the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation have swung into action aimed at unraveling the alleged massive corruption being perpetrated in Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc by its boss and her cohorts. A whopping sum of N102million contained in the 2018 budget awaiting assent under the heading of library is currently being sponsored by a foreign donor in addition to funding for provision of legal advisory services among others, these amounts of money are still budgeted for by NBET in the 2018 fiscal year. Investors and other stakeholders are wondering why Dr Marilyn Amobi appears untouchable and why pre/post consideration of NBET budget by the National Assembly are not subjected to scrutiny given all the atrocities she has perpetrated since her assumption of office.



However, Dr Amobi is not new to scandals. A training institute in Denmark attended by both staff and non-staff of Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) has affiliate with the firm incorporated in Nigeria by Dr Marilyn Amobi.

Several hundred millions of Naira from capital budget and receipts from distribution companies are being used to fund all the illegal foreign training, The Witness learnt. Our source further divulged that Dr. Amobi is able to perpetrate the fraud using her company incorporated as ESL Economics and Management Associates Ltd with RC NO- 1025108.

The registered address of the company is Plot 604, Hunkuyi Close, Area 11, Garki, Abuja and has the first directors as Dr Marilyn Chikaodili Nwanneka Amobi and Dr Ifeoma Edna Amobi holding 80% and 20% share respectively. A certificate number 751030 was issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission for increase in the company share from 1 million to 20 million and the address was changed to 46, Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.

Upon the appointment of Dr Marilyn as NBET’s MD/CEO, The Witness gathered that the NBET Chief resigned from being member of the board of directors but retained her shareholding of 80% in the company till date. Professor Erik Reimer Larsen who was responsible for the academic training programme in Aarhus BSS, Aarhus University Denmark regarding professional training programme is a partner in ESL Economics and Management Associates Ltd.

Another scandal was loading when on 28th of November 2017, a whopping N65 Million from public funds was alleged to have been spent by the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) under her for an 11-day trip to Gainesville, Florida, despite federal government’s restriction on foreign travels and trainings abroad.

A circular conveying the message, titled ‘Restrictions on Foreign Trainings and International Travels by Public Servants,’ was issued from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to all ministries, departments and agencies of the federal government in 2015, placing an embargo on foreign travels and international trainings.

“Public servants invited for foreign trainings/study tour, conferences by any organisation, government or other bilateral/multilateral organisation will be allowed to travel provided that no travel cost, estacode application or any other cost on government is involved,” the circular stated.

In defiance of the federal government’s rule, Dr Amobi had given a directive to spend $96,350 USD of public funds for participation at the 43rd International training programme on the utility regulation and strategy held in January 15-26 2018 in Gainsville, Florida, USA, by members of the National Assembly committees on power.

A whistleblower had alleged that the National Assembly members did not attend the event, describing it as a shocking waste of tax payers’ money.

The National Assembly members were Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, (PDP Abia), Senator Adamu Aliero, (APC Kebbi), Senator Lanre Tejuosho, (APC Ogun), Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, (PDP Abia), Hon. Daniel Asuquo, (PDP Cross River) Hon. Mohammed Garba Gololo, (APC Bauchi).

Independent investigation revealed that an additional $7,200 was charged by the organizers of the training for each participant, revealing an additional N15 million tab by the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Plc.

More revelations show that Dr Marilyn has unplucked wings because of her rooted relationship in the Ministry Of Power, Finance, National Assembly and the Presidency that she can do and undo. Our undercover journalist had earlier reported how N650million not included in the 2017 budget proposal submitted by Mr President to the national assembly found its way into 2017 appropriation tagged as office relocation wherein the current office being used by NBET is befitting enough.

The approved N650million was forcefully cash backed and has been syphoned. Reports had it also on how Dr Marilyn used the national assembly through house committee on power to publish public hearing notice on the dailies against her employer, disagreement erupted when the document given to Dr Marilyn for publication on Calabar PRG was tampered with before been published; the said public hearing was eventually swept under the carpet because of the betrayal of NBET boss. A clerk with the knowledge of the shoddy dealing informed us on the condition of anonymous that there was no evidence of neither approval nor payment for the publication of the public hearing notice.

Several reports on social media shows unethical dealings of NBET boss since her assumption of office till date and nothing was done to investigate those deals by the anti-graft agencies of the federal government due fear.

In line with The Witness investigative journalism practice, our reporter contacted Dr. Amobi for her angle to the allegations, but there was no response as at press time.


http://meganews.com.ng/2018/06/28/nbet-md-marilyn-amobi-allegedly-squanders-billions-harasses-staff-with-police/

Does your bank exude poise, chill and swag all wrapped up in one package? Mine does.

Yes I mean swag that is always on point and I have no doubt you are thinking what I am thinking – there's only one bank in Nigeria that combines all three and it is Zenith Bank.

Zenith Bank has been a consistent performer in the banking industry since it was founded and currently ranks top in customer deposits and profits and is the number 1 customer service bank in Nigeria. Zenith’ has strong brand values, customer propositions and top class services which make its customers feel like kings and adds springs to their steps because they know that Zenith mirrors the hopes and aspirations of every Nigerian and Africa at large.

“Too much swag, too much money even with NO Money.”

http://meganews.com.ng/2018/06/29/complete-your-swag-with-a-zenith-bank-account/

Zenith is Quality with Quantity.

Ever been to a banking hall and you're unsure of where you are to go or what you need to do; this does not apply to Zenith. No queues, no smells and little noise, just peace, quiet and efficient service

The swag displayed from the entrance by the courteous and professional security officers to the cuteness and swagger of the bank’s staff is a wonder to behold. If you are like me and you want to save your money where there are posh and crisp cashiers, tellers, customer service representatives and account officers – welcome to Zenith Bank.

Have you ever noticed the reaction or look on the faces of your clients, friends or family members when they ask for your account info for a transaction and you forward a Zenith account details? The look on their faces is always priceless, their hearts beats at a fast pace and in their minds they echo these words in Pidgin 'This Boy Don Arrive Oh'.

You can argue all you want about how good or great your current bank’s customer service is, but in all honesty, you and I know that only one bank can lead the pack and Zenith is a shoulder higher than other banks in this regard. Think of poise, chic and swag, Zenith puts it all together as a total package and delivers it in a bundle of experience that is unforgettable.

You want a bank that deserves your 101% loyalty, think Zenith! A popular Naija song’s lyrics says ‘what is a heart without a beat?’, in Zenith’s case, it is, what is swagger without innovation? What makes the bank stand out is essentially the consistent focus of the team to constantly innovate.

With top notch service offerings and a range of products that address the banking needs of the public and private space while appealing to different strata of the society along side robust alternative banking solutions, Life is easy when you bank with Zenith or better still, swag is easy when you bank with Zenith.

In today's fast paced world, having a Zenith account truthfully completes your SWAG; it compliments your Big Boy/Big Girl status. You might like to argue with your keypads but trust me, your societal standard is incomplete if you don't have a Zenith bank account.

My advice...Upgrade your SWAG today by opening a Zenith account and standout from the crowd.

On June 25, 2018 I woke up to yet another social media trend – a news story with the bold and quite salacious headline “How Safe Are Customer Deposits At FCMB?” had taken over the digital airwaves. Between the shares and likes and comments, a storm in a cup had brewed to great proportions in a matter of hours. Yet again, a demonstration that the basic ethics of responsible journalism and ethical reporting have been thrown away in business and, indeed, everyday life.



In writing the article, the author had made detailed reference to alleged cases of fraud involving staff of FCMB and went ahead to imply that perhaps the bank’s depositors funds are unsafe.



It is quite of great concern to see so-called professionals go to town with such alarming headlines, with the full knowledge that most Nigerians will not bother to read the actual details. It is indeed of greater concern that this sort of material was released in the way it was, when by his own admission, the author had received specific information from the bank about its financial performance and ability to remain a growth driven and existentially sustainable institution.



I do not have an account with FCMB, neither am I in any way connected to the bank or its principals. I, however, do have the simple capacity to read between the lines and remove chaff from substance.



In the first place, for FCMB to have increased its shares in Legacy Pension to make it a full-fledged subsidiary as reported in this article, it means the bank is forward-thinking and focused on both diversifying and improving its service offerings and earnings. That’s a bold move, when you consider that the Pensions industry in Nigeria has the potential to be bigger than the banking industry in another decade or so.



But even more interesting is the fact that by his very own article, the author admitted that FCMB’s deposits grew to N689.9billion as at the end of December 2017, an increase of 5%, from N657.6billion in the corresponding year. Do customers increase their deposit in a bank they have fears over or which is on the brink? Is it not only logical that customers are only likely to increase deposits in a bank where they enjoy good service and feel at home? For a fact, I know that the KPMG Banking Industry Customer Satisfaction Survey 2017 placed FCMB in 5th position in the entire Nigerian banking industry in Retail Banking, SME Banking and Wholesale Banking. That’s no mean feat when you take into account the number of operators in the industry.



I think what stumped me the most is the fact that by his own article, the author let us in on key financial metrics of FCMB, including the fact that FCMB reported a gross revenue of N169.9 billion and a profit before tax (PBT) of N11.5billion, while profit after tax (PAT) was N9.4billion.



At face value, it seems to me that the author for reasons best known to him or her was determined to demarket FCMB and portray it in the most negative light possible. I do not dispute the possibility that there were some fraudulent activities – afterall, there is no smoke without fire and that tends to ring through more in Nigeria than elsewhere. However, this is an industry challenge – the Managing Director of the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) Adebisi Shonubi (who a few weeks ago was nominated a Deputy Governor of Nigeria’s Central Bank) recently shared some startling statistics on fraud in Nigeria’s banking industry, revealing the number of reported fraud cases in Nigerian Banks had steadily risen from 1,461 in 2014 to 10,743 in 2015, 19,531 in 2016 and 25,043 in 2017. It has been argued that frauds in the Banks are not alien. In the United States of America it has been said, with compromised credit cards and data breaches often in the news in the past couple of years, fraud is top of mind with many people.



This deliberate attempt to demarket FCMB for reasons best known to the author also brings to mind the most recent attack on GTBank over the Innoson case.



It is not to be forgotten how earlier this month, social media went agog with news that a court had directed GTBank to pay 12 billion naira to Innoson Group, one of its clients with whom it has had a long-standing court battle. The misleading reports on social media had extremely sensational headlines such as “Court Orders GTBank To Pay 14bn To Innoson”; “GTBank Must Pay Innoson 14Bn Within 14 Days”; “GTBank In Trouble As Court Orders Payment of 14bn to Innoson”.



It was such a terrible jamboree on social media that there were certain broadcasts sent across Whatsapp and other social media asking people to withdraw their funds from GTBank immediately, on the premise that the bank would go bankrupt after payment of N14bn to Innoson. Of course, Nigerians will not pause to ask whether paying N14bn in settlement can actually cripple a bank that is widely considered Nigeria’s biggest bank brand and clearly, one of the most solid financial behemoths within the African continent. Nobody stops to ponder. The fact that this latest melee was a result of seemingly deliberate attempts to smear the GTBank brand raises more suspicion about the recent publication on the same online platforms questioning the safety of depositors funds with FCMB.



The GTBank vs Innoson saga has so terribly deteriorated on the account of sensational journalism and reportage, that it has taken an ugly ethnic dimension amongst the unlearned. Thus, on various online communities and platforms in Nigeria, you see Nigerians taking sides on the basis of GTBank being a “Yoruba company” and Innoson being an “Igbo company”. What a sad reality for a nation!



First Bank of Nigeria also witnessed the harsh and merciless bite of sensational reporting when recently there was commotion over the contempt judgement against the Bank and some of its key officials in the case Chief Isaac Osaro Agbara & 9 Ors. v. Shell Petroleum Development Ltd, Shell International Petroleum Ltd and Shell International Exploration and Production BV. Before fact could be removed from fiction, so many broadcasts and “breaking news” articles had surfaced online, all leading with headlines that were designed to damage and not just state the facts.



To make progress as a country and support businesses to thrive, this approach must be arrested. Must we sensationalize everything just so we can earn readership and our 5 minutes of fame, to the detriment of businesses and companies that provide livelihood for thousands of families across Nigeria? I think not.



Even where we need to address real matters arising, surely, the reporting can be more facts-based and less about blackmail and demarketing. As my Yoruba friends have a saying in their language “Even if they sent you on the errand as a slave, deliver the message as a free born”. Crying wolf falsely too many times has serious downsides. Social media credibility is extremely important for the dissemination of relevant, topical, up to date and authentic information. Using it constantly as a vehicle to settle scores, blackmail and seek for attention will ultimately harm the reputation of not only the charlatans in that field but also the real professionals. The fake news toga will be cast on all. That will be a big shame. Freedom presupposes responsibility. Freedom devoid of responsibility is excessive liberty.



These institutions need protection and we really need to stop portraying ourselves to the rest of the world as people always thinking of fraud and sleight of hand strategies to make ill-gotten wealth. There are many honest and hardworking people all over Nigeria. We deserve better than these constant sensational but fake so called 'investigative' write ups.

*Emefulenwanne Ibeayoka is a public analyst writing from Abuja

http://meganews.com.ng/2018/06/26/the-worrisome-trend-of-sensational-social-media-journalism-and-the-impact-on-legitimate-business-concerns-recent-travails-of-fcmb-gtbank-and-first-bank/

It is with the heaviest of hearts, the strongest anger and deepest feelings I pen this letter as images of the things I see have refused to leave my memory and all I hear from my radio are songs of sorrow so much so that I am tempted to ask why we were born to this part of the world, why we were even born at all and how it all started.

It is disheartening that my friend Femi is scared to visit Kaduna and it seems we can't guarantee Ali's safety in Enugu; some sons of anarchy are making life uneasy for travellers on the highway while entire families are being wiped out up North, and yes!...there is the new trend: clashes between herders and host communities; all these happening for reasons best known to only the perpetrators of this evil.

Forgive me but maybe I wasn't paying attention when government made it legal to engage in kidnap and trafficking or when nature made it right to set humans ablaze for what ever reason but I don't think this was EVER a part of us neither was it part of the plan to value animals more than humans.

Back in my formative years in the ever busy Ifo town, we didn't know who was not Yoruba or who didn't have the most appealing outlook; the message was peace and we were taught to never deviate from the doctrine of unity; I doubt we're still on that page.

My good people, it is hateful, distasteful and disgraceful that we'll rather our streets are painted with blood instead of love, that we now have flagrant disregard for the next person's emotion and we literally threw life and its value away; let's remember it is UNITY before Faith, peace and whatever kind of progress.

I'm sure our elder statesmen are deeply worried for where we're headed and the bodies of our heroes are turning in their graves...oddly enough, for what reason? Why these endless massacre and Genocide in our land?

Brethren If there's any time to feed ourselves the truth, it is now; we seem to be off-track on issues of national development and our eyes are closing out on the vision of our founding fathers; slowly and painfully we're losing human, material, financial and time resources and we seem to be a joke to the international community; but I have good news for bad people, slowly and assuredly we will return to track.

I understand that evil will try to fight back in any way it can and some unfortunate fellows have offered themselves as vessels for destruction; we shall overcome them.

My heart bleeds every second I remember that some of my sisters are still missing from a school in Borno state, it goes weaker when I hear Benue and it bleeds even more when I hear a civil servant in the confluence region lost his daughter because he couldn't afford basic medical care...he (and many other colleagues) were being owed salaries for a time running into months as some children of the devil decided to squander what belonged to others...they're receiving their rewards already and very soon they shall be phased out.

We should take note however that things will not work out by magic as Napoleon Hill says "strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle"; good enough we have a lot of people who will literally give an eye for Nigeria and unity is our weapon against malicious intents.

IPOB, TRIPOB, MASSOB, Niger Delta Avengers, Christian herdsmen in Kano, Muslim Lawyers in Abia and other divisions too numerous to mention have not helped our progress as a people; at the moment we might have to put our heads together and put on our thinking cap else we'll have ourselves to blame.

We should also be prepared just in case some persons have to be shown the way out of government when the time comes.

Slowly and steadily we shall win again if we hold fast to each other..no grudges, no gangs, just peace...perfect peace.


Ayobami Ladipo (Mr Porsche)
Lagos,
Nigeria.
http://meganews.com.ng/2018/06/26/blood-on-the-streets-tears-in-our-eyes-genocide-massacre-by-ayobami-ladipo/

Coronation Merchant Bank Limited, a leading investment bank in Nigeria, has recorded a very strong performance in its inaugural Commercial Paper issuance.



The Bank set out to raise the sum of NGN15 billion on the first tranche under its NGN100 billion Commercial Paper Programme. It received commitments of over NGN 28 billion from both Institutional and High Net Worth Investors. This represents over 180% subscription level.

The issuance comprised of two series of 180 and 270-days. The 180-day paper was issued at a discount rate of 12.60% and a yield of 13.43% while the 270-day paper was issued at 12.69% discount rate and a yield of 14.00%. According to industry experts, this is an unprecedented achievement in Nigeria’s Capital market especially given the tight pricing on the instruments.

Commenting on the result, Abu Jimoh, Group Managing Director/CEO of Coronation Merchant Bank Limited said that, “we are pleased at the outcome of this exercise. The Commercial Paper issuance, which represents our very first in the market, has enabled us to achieve our objective of effective balance sheet management that is geared towards providing capital to various sectors of the economy. The positive results recorded by our commercial paper is a testament to the strength of the Bank’s credit in the capital markets. It is both gratifying and humbling to note this level of investor confidence in the Bank”.



Abiodun Sanusi, Group Head of Investment Banking at Coronation Merchant Bank stated that, “we started our investment banking business in 2016 and in less than three years, we have contributed immensely to the development of the capital market - both on the equity side and the debt capital side. He further stated that, “Today, we have differentiated ourselves as a formidable player in the capital market having raised in excess of NGN300 billion for various companies in multiple sectors of the economy. The success of this issuance further demonstrates the market’s confidence in the Coronation Merchant Bank Story.



Coronation Merchant Bank group was established to fill the gap in a long-underserved market segment, seeking to address the need for long term capital across key sectors of the economy. The Group offers investment and corporate banking, private banking/wealth management and global markets/treasury services to its diverse clients. It also offers securities trading/brokerage, asset management and trustees services via its subsidiaries; Coronation Securities Limited, Coronation Asset Management Limited respectively.



Driven by its vision of becoming Africa’s premier investment Bank and with an asset base of over NGN130 billion, the Banking group is certain to leverage its privileged position and to become the industry model for risk management, corporate governance and responsible business practices. Coronation Merchant Bank’s quest for industry distinction is evident in its recently unveiled corporate identity which has been designed to communicate the Group’s vision, ambition and inner strength.

​​Please click link below for more details https://www.coronationmb.com/what-we-do/investment-banking

http://meganews.com.ng/2018/06/25/%E2%80%8Bcoronation-merchant-bank%E2%80%8Bs%E2%80%8B-%E2%80%8Bcommercial-paper-records-over-180-%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8Bsubscription/

The National Judicial Council has dismissed a petition written by the Chairman of Innoson Motors, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, against Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had charged Chukwuma and his company with alleged forgery and stealing before the judge.
But the businessman has repeatedly failed to appear before the judge for his arraignment.
At the prompting of the EFCC, the judge issued a bench warrant against Chukwuma and later declared him wanted.
But accusing the judge of misconduct, Chukwuma wrote the NJC, calling for the probe of Justice Dada over the bench warrant issued for his arrest.
However, the NJC, in a letter dated June 4, 2018, a copy of which our correspondent sighted on Friday, said it found no wrongdoing against the judge. The NJC, however, directed the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke, to withdraw Chukwuma’s case from Justice Dada and re-assign it to another judge.
The NJC letter, signed by its Secretary, Ahmed Saleh, read in part, “Your petition dated February 12th, 2018 on the above subject matter and the reaction to same by Hon. Justice M.A. Dada of the High Court of Justice, Lagos State, were considered by the National Judicial Council at its meeting, which held on 9th March, 2018.
“At the end of the deliberation, the council did not find any act of misconduct on the part of the honourable judge. However, if the case is still pending before Hon. Justice M.A. Dada, same will be returned to the Chief Judge for re-assignment to another judge, please.”

http://meganews.com.ng/2018/06/23/njc-dismisses-innoson-motors-chairmans-petition-against-lagos-judge/

Being a customer of the numerous banks in Nigeria comes with different perks and challenges, as the sector itself is bedeviled with the infrastructural lapses inherent in Nigeria, however, of all the commercial banks; Zenith Bank has proven to be the pace setter not only in terms of innovation and infrastructural capabilities; the bank has remained shoulder high above them all since it was founded in 1990.
Zenith Bank currently ranks as the number one commercial bank in Nigeria not only in terms of customer deposits and profits, but in several other aspects of banking. Little wonder, retail and commercial banking customers including investors continue to do business with Zenith Bank.
Zenith Bank has continued to provide quality financial services to different sectors in Nigeria including some Key West African Countries, Asia and Europe.
The bank mirrors the hopes and aspirations of every Nigerian and Africa at large.
As a banking customer who has enjoyed the services of several banks in Nigeria, settling for Zenith as the best did not come off without the bank going beyond others in meeting my high expectations in terms of the service offering and values which they have consistently delivered over the years.
Here are seven reasons, Zenith Bank is the best and why you should use the bank.
1. RESPECT FOR INDIVIDUALS:
Ever wander into a banking hall and be unsure of where you are or how to go about what you want to do, this does not apply to Zenith. Right from the entrance you are welcomed by courteous and professional security officers and when ushered into the banking hall, it is another wall entirely. The cuteness and swagger of the bank’s staff is a wonder to behold. If you are like me and you want to save your money where posh and crisp cashiers, tellers, customer service representatives and account officers – welcome to Zenith Bank.

2. INTEGRITY/FINANCIAL STABILITY:
Has the financial stability of your bank ever been a source of concern for you?
I was also in that position; but, with Zenith’s position as the number 1 commercial bank in Nigeria and with total assets of more than US $14.8 billion and market capitalization of US $2.3 billion; be rest assured that your deposit is secure for now and in the future.

3. EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE:
We all know that good customer service beats cost most time but Zenith brings that to the table at no extra cost. My experience with Zenith bank proves that their customer service goes beyond satisfying the customer.
Their goal is to surpass expectations by delighting customers and ensuring their loyalty and the bank has mine.
The bank’s personalized banking service is an experience to look forward to as everything about you as an individual is valued in terms of your – experience, uniqueness, knowledge, skills and potential – regardless of age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality or position. No matter the time, no matter the weather, be rest assured that your needs(whether queries or complaints) will be resolved swiftly and with ease. The effectiveness and efficiency of the team is unquestionable and you should come see it for yourself.

4. INNOVATION:

I remember having a chat with one of my colleagues about happenings in the banking sector and how it is slowly turning into a red ocean as every bank tend to copy innovations from other banks with reckless abandon – but if you are an individual with keen eye for innovation like me, someone who likes blazing the trail in everything; Zenith Bank is the answer.
Zenith offers range of products that cuts across both the public and private space, appealing to different strata of the society. With wide spread alternative banking solutions, Life is easy when you bank with Zenith.

5. PRODUCTS FOR EVERYONE:
Another reason you should bank with Zenith is because of the different products available at the bank.
Zenith has more than 500 branches spread across Nigeria each with ATMs. The bank also has several digital products which have made banking easy for their customers both within and outside the shores of Nigeria.

Some of these products include:
Zenith Bank Savings Account - The Zenith Individual and Salary Savings Accounts are recommended if you have specific savings goals in mind or you just want to start setting money aside. The account offers competitive interest rates, debit and credit cards, email/SMS transaction notifications and free access to the Bank’s Internet banking platform, mobile app and other digital solutions.
Zenith Bank Individual Current Account - The Zenith Bank Current Account is a flexible current account that allows you bank and perform financial transactions at your convenience from anywhere in the world. Account holders enjoy a branded cheque book, debit and credit cards, email/SMS transaction notifications and free access to the Bank’s internet banking platform, mobile app and other digital solutions.
Zenith Bank Children’s Account (ZECA): Ages 0-12 - The Zenith Children’s Account (ZECA) is a unique savings account designed to allow parents save for their children’s future while teaching children the benefits of financial discipline and savings in a fun way. ZECA offers competitive interest rates and supports cheque, draft and dividend lodgments.
Zenith Bank Children’s Account For Teens (ZECA Teens): Ages 13-17 - ZECA Teens is designed to avail teenagers aged 13 to 17 years with all the benefits of the Zenith Children’s Account and a customized Naira MasterCard (a prepaid card issued upon Parent’s request), so they can start learning to manage money.
Zenith Bank Aspire Account - The Zenith Aspire Account is an interest-bearing savings account for Nigerian undergraduates that offer them competitive savings rates, free access to zenith alternative channels, account transaction notifications, a customized debit card and discounts at select retail partners.

Key Features of these Accounts include
 Zero Account Opening Balance
 Earn competitive interest on your deposits
 Zenith MasterCard/Visa/Verve Debit Card
 Free access to Zenith Internet and Mobile Banking Platforms
 Email/SMS Alerts notifications on your account
 Free access to Scan to Pay app.
 Lodgment of Dividend Warrants, Drafts and other third party banking instruments
 Customized Debit Card (Aspire Account)
 Discounted Debit Card Fee (Aspire Account)
 Invitation to the annual Zenith Children’s Parade (ZECA Account)
 Participation in the Children’s Day scholarship raffle draw (ZECA Account)
No matter your status there is a product for you at Zenith Bank

6. ZENITH DIGITAL BANKING:
If you are a fan of convenience in all form, this is for you; Zenith Mobile App leverages the growing ubiquity of smart phones to allow users access all their Zenith Bank accounts and perform a myriad of transactions at their own convenience. These include account opening, balance enquiries, funds transfers, payments, card request, activation and hot listing, airline and hotel bookings and lots more. Visit www.zenithbank.com/smartlink to download.
The Zenith Bank Internet Banking platform is a dynamic solution hosted on the Bank’s website (www.zenithbank.com) that enables individual and corporate customers to perform most of their banking transactions online. Account holders can make transfers, payments, view/download account activity in any format and get real-time account balances on transactions amongst other things.
To request for Internet Bank log on details today, please call Zenith Direct on:
- 0700 ZENITHBANK
- +234 1 278 7000
- +234 1 292 7000
Zenith’s *966# Eazy banking is a convenient, fast and secure way to bank on any mobile phone (feature or Internet enabled). The solution does not involve the use of Internet/data and users perform a plethora of transactions by simply dialing short codes. Registering for *966# Eazy banking can be done by simply dialing *966# and following the prompts.

Available *966# Eazybanking Strings:

 Airtime Purchase: Dial *966*Amount*Mobile Number#
 Funds Transfers to Any Nigerian Bank Account: Dial *966*Amount*Account Number#
 Bank Verification Number (BVN) Confirmation: Dial *966*BVN#
 Password and Pin Reset: Dial *966*60#
 DSTV, PHCN Bill Payments: Dial *966*7*Amount*Customer ID#
 Payments to Zenith Billers: Dial *966*Biller Code*Amount#

Visit www.zenithbank.com/966 for more information.

7. ZENITH THINKS TOMORROW:

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http://meganews.com.ng/2018/06/19/must-read-7-reasons-you-need-to-become-a-zenith-bank-customer/

The immediate former Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan has debunked the rumour making the rounds that he has chickened out of the senatorial race ahead of the 2019 general elections.
Uduaghan stated this in his Warri residence when he played host to the Coalition of Bomadi LGA Elders led by its leader, Revd. Gbenekuru England and dozens of youths drawn from different youth groups in Bomadi Local Government Area.

The group which is an amalgam of all the community elders in Bomadi had inquired if the dynamic former Governor had stepped down again for their Sen. James Manager at his recent public declaration at the PDP mega rally for Governor Okowa which held in Oleh. Allaying their fears, Dr. Uduaghan said, “I have not stepped down for anybody and I am not going to even contemplate stepping down for anyone. In fact, I have put my hands on the plough and there is no going back. By the grace of God, we will be in Abuja in 2019.

“It was in the interest of President Goodluck Jonathan’s votes from Delta that made me withdraw from the race, last minute. The stability of the state was very important to me. I needed to concentrate on the state and prepare it for a peaceful transition; otherwise, I had all the machinery to win the seat if I had so wanted it like I do now.”

On whether he was scared of opposition, Uduaghan said, “I have paid my dues in stemming ethnic violence and militia uprising in the creeks to deserve the senatorial seat. How many people can make such sacrifice? How can somebody who has fought plenty political battles as a serving governor be scared of anybody? That is very laughable to me.”

The visibly relieved group, buoyed by the news, broke into dancing and singing in Ijaw.



"YOU ARE THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR DELTA SOUTH"– Bomadi Elders

All the leaders of the group who spoke agreed to throw their weight behind Dr. Uduaghan’s senatorial bid, because according to them, Delta South is ready for a new beginning and Dr. Uduaghan is the new beginning. They believe when he gets to the senate, the district will get qualitative representation and he will empower not just his Itsekiri people but also the Ijaw and Isoko people as he did when he was a two-term governor of the state.

“We had tested your capacity when you were governor we know that the Ijaw nation benefited from your administration. Our son, the current occupant of the seat, who has been there for four tenures has tried his best but it is now time for a new beginning. It is the turn of the Itsekiris based on fairness and equity. Your Excellency, you are the new beginning for Delta South,” Revd. England asserted.

The senatorial hopeful revealed that he and his family had heard from God clearly in January 2018, that victory was sure for him at the polls. He used the opportunity to assure all his supporters, friends and well-wishers that plans for his campaign would soon roll out in a massive dimension and everyone would be carried along.

http://meganews.com.ng/2018/06/18/senate-2019-i-have-not-dropped-my-ambition-uduaghan/

Heritage Bank led by Ifie Sekibo is in fresh trouble as Mr Okoi Obono-Obla, Chairman, Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP) has told President Muhammadu Buhari that the panel has recovered seven million dollars (N2.1 billion at official rate) illegally kept in Heritage Bank.

“The panel had also recovered N533 million and land worth N1.5 billion, all from the “previous management” of NEXIM Bank.

The recovered funds and property had since been returned to the bank. The panel had also recovered and returned to the National Theatre, the sum of N24million which was allegedly diverted by some directors of the agency.”

“Also recovered were two hectares of land in Abuja valued at over N2 billion, belonging to the National Council of Arts and Culture. The panel also recovered and returned a part of Agura Hotel belonging to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). The recovered part of the hotel had been illegally “annexed by some so-called powerful persons with untouchable connections for over 20 years.”

“Other recoveries by the SPIP are 19 official Sports Utility Vehicles allegedly made away with by former Commissioners of the National Population Commission after their tenures in office. The panel had charged a former Director in the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to court for failure to declare his assets.”

“The assets include houses in upscale areas of Abuja, a quarry and a farm within the Federal Capital Territory, for which a court has granted an interim forfeiture order. The SPIP is also investigating some members of the National Assembly and former governors for a range of alleged offences.”

“These include illegal purchase of designated official residences for principal officers of the National Assembly excluded from the monetisation policy at giveaway prices. Others are purchase of several property worth hundreds of millions in various currencies, and flagrant abuse of office thus causing financial adversity to the nation.”

“The SPIP is partnering with the United Kingdom’s Home Secretary to ensure that some public officers “perceived to have looted public funds and illegally acquired assets both in Nigeria and the UK” were prevented from entering that country. The panel is beaming its searchlight on several companies for a wide range of alleged offences.”

Some of the companies are Celtel, for alleged tax evasion since 2005; Western Oil and Gas, for illegally drilling crude oil in Delta, and seven others for alleged failure to pay royalties to the Federal Government in about 10 years. Some multinational oil companies based in Egi Kingdom, Rivers, were also being investigated for allegedly conniving with unscrupulous individuals to dodge their obligations to the community to the tune of N38 billion and 30 million dollars.

Also under investigation by the panel is another company, which has failed to fulfill its contractual agreement to dredge the Calabar Channel, years after receiving $12 million. The panel has also compiled a list of over 200 past and serving public officers perceived to have illegally enriched themselves at the expense of the nation and the Nigerian people, among others.

http://meganews.com.ng/2018/06/15/we-have-recovered-n6b-illegal-fund-property-from-heritage-bank-spip-boss/

A lawyer, United Nations Award Recipient, Political Commentator and a novelist, Habeeb whyte has lamented that Nigerian youths have been made irrelevant in the process of nation building, following the formulation of the non inclusiveness of youths in governance.

Whyte made this known in an interview with newsmen at the preview of his book launching titled “The Burden of Irrelevancy”.

He said, Nigerian youths have been made to be irrelevant in policy making, formation of good ideas, political and economic development of the country.

According to him, “The only thing that is making us to be relevant in today’s politics is not too young to rule issue.

“It is just now that we are trying to come up with our own ideas and our leaders are not encouraging us, even if they are encouraging us , are they doing it for our own good, No.

“Look at those that are in power today, they have one affiliation or the other with their predecessor, it means that a common man or a Nigerian youth might not be given the opportunity to rule”.

Speaking about his book titled ‘The burden of irrelevancy’, whyte said, the book is a personal account of events and happenings that shape the Nigerian youth constituency in the year 2011 to 2017.

“A lot of things have happened, a lot of things have gone wrong, a lot of things have gone good in one way or the other but we don’t have documentation for those things.

“I took the pain and passion for writing and advocacy on youth in governance, to write on past events in Nigeria.

“This book talks about the NAS issues, NASS issues , the molestation of Nigerian Youths, occupy Nigeria issue , the aborted tu face rally , not too young to rule, the APC election, the social media mantra, the way Nigerian youths sent Jonathan away and every other events.

“The likes of Obasanjo, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Yar’dua, Jonathan, Atiku and others, you will see their description of who they are, and what they are not.

“You will also see personal experience of us meeting other youth bodies, you will see how youths have betrayed youths, how some persons under the umbrella of the group have betrayed Nigerians and its constituency.

“The book ends with an article I wrote in 2014 when I said, the dark times are over” he said.

http://meganews.com.ng/2018/06/10/nigeria-youths-are-irrelevant-barr-whyte/

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has received positive affirmation and rewards in Africa for consistently enhancing human capital development and welfare among its workforce.The Bank got two top awards at the 5th edition of the Best Companies to Work For 2018 Africa Awards organised by the Great Place to Work Institute (GPTW) held in Lagos on May 31, 2018.

The awards are, ‘’Best Workplace for Women in Africa’’ and ‘’Second Best Company to Work For in Africa’’, both in the large corporates category. In addition, the Bank was presented with a certificate to further attest to its recognition as a Great Place to Work. The awards are in recognition of FCMB’s achievements in creating an enabling environment where employees can pursue their career goals and thrive.
GPTW Institute is a global research firm that assesses companies, based on a trust index survey (employees’ opinion about the workplace) and culture audit (management policies and practices), with the overall objective to promote excellence in the work place. The Institute which produces the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list and other top employer rankings, operates in 50 countries, including Nigeria.

For the award of ‘’Best Workplace for Women’’, GPTW institute took particular note of the various empowerments and other support programmes of FCMB Women in the areas of orphanages, girl child education, the less privileged, especially widows as well as the increased female representation in key management roles in the financial institution.

For the award of ‘’Second Best Company to Work For in Africa’’, the Institute considered FCMB’s commitment over the years in championing and executing initiatives that balance the needs of its diverse workforce in key human welfare and career development areas. Among these are, career management through a self-service career portal, mentoring programmes, talent development programmes, professional development opportunities, good medical support, employee health week providing nutrition advice, free health checks at branches etc, telephone counselling services for personal issues, and policies/benefits to reduce the financial burden on expectant and nursing mothers, newly married employees, bereaved employees and children education grants for long serving employees. By creating an inclusive, respectful and high-performance culture, which makes everyone feel valued.

Commenting on the awards, the Managing Director of FCMB, Mr. Adam Nuru, said: that, the Bank would continue to provide the right environment and initiatives, anchored on fairness, respect, camaraderie and credibility, that would enable its workforce to confidently pursue their career goals.
Also speaking at the awards presentation ceremony, the Senior Vice President and Divisional Head, Corporate Services, FCMB, Felicia Obozuwa, described the awards as big milestones in the journey of the Bank to bring its mission to attain the highest levels of customer advocacy, be a great place to work and deliver superior and sustainable returns to its shareholders to life.

While expressing appreciation to the organisers and employees of the Bank for the awards, Felicia Obozuwa assured that”: FCMB will continue to provide an enabling environment, and the right culture where employees can pursue challenging careers and thrive. We are not yet where we aim to be, but this is a significant milestone in our journey, and we greatly appreciate the recognition.

http://meganews.com.ng/2018/06/04/fcmb-wins-two-awards-at-great-place-to-work-in-africa-2018-awards-night/

Apochi Suleman is a JTF Commander in the Niger Delta region. He is widely known in the Bayelsa and Rivers states to be feeding fat on the resources he is meant to protect and preserve for the common good of Nigerians, especially the often maligned Niger Deltans. Suleman is using his good office for evil intention. He is using the veritable platform – rather than to prevent rogues from looting Nigeria’s national treasury – as a guard of honour to line his pockets with petro-dollars.

JTF Commander Apochi Suleman has gained so much notoriety for oil bunkering that he has earned the sobriquet: the Commander of Bunkering in Nigeria (CBN). In the jurisdiction he superintends, nobody in the communities can dare him. He has the raw power and the wherewithal to silence any dissenting voice. He has been alleged to be so rich to the extent people claim he is richer than any state in Nigeria.
We understand that Suleman, the JTF Commander is not working alone. He has got a homeboy in one Dagogo Gilbert. Together, the two have become some Lords of the Creeks using government provided facilities and weaponry to steal crude oil rather than protect same. At a time when crude oil prices are on the rise again –when Nigeria should be making a kill in petro-dollars, Suleman, Gilbert and their co-travellers are flunking every efforts of the government to benefit from ‘illegal bunkering’.

This is an open secret: interested Navy officers are said to cough up to $30,000 to serve in the Niger Delta. It is little wonder that some military officers are so successful that they have bought multimillion-dollar homes in high-end neighbourhoods in Lagos. Proceeds from ‘illegal bunkering’ became high enough in the last several years to enable both JTF members and ‘militants’ to operate on the same turf.
Quoting a source, the report added: “Dagogo Gilbert is the key man that collects money for Apochi Suleman –if this man is arrested everything about him (Suleman) will be exposed. This information is very real. Suleman is the JTF commander.”

Repeated allegations have been made against this JTF Commander and certain individuals that collect money on his behalf. But the government has yet to give sufficient scrutiny to these allegations. The government should think: without the active connivance of the JTF how can some illegal oil merchants steal Nigeria’s crude oil without resistance and sell it at the country’s expense when Nigeria should making huge profits given the increase in the price of oil.

The federal government is therefore urged to take another look at the JTF, its supposed activities bordering on patrol boats to the structure of the force and the topmost hierarchy of its establishment. The government should take seriously the call for help by the “Concerned Citizen of Bony, Nembe, Kula and Bille Communities, Rivers State”.

Every month, Nigeria loses over $1billion to activities of oil thieves like JTF Commander Apochi Suleman and Dagogo in the Niger Delta region, estimating that the volume of oil theft at between 100,000 and 250,000 barrels per day or as much as 91 million barrels yearly or billions of dollars in lost revenue. For years now, the federal government has stationed various military personnel –including the Navy, the Nigerian Army and the Air Force –otherwise known as the JTF to prevent further illegal activities –often referred to as ‘illegal bunkering’ from emasculating the oil earnings that should accrue to the government and its people.

Those charged with the responsibility of securing the national assets in terms of oil facilities –the JTF – have been fingered in the theft of crude and conspiracy against Nigeria. It is said that military officers allegedly pay large premiums for the opportunity to serve in the JTF because the huge amount of money they make from protecting or participating in ‘illegal bunkering’ is too fabulous to ignore.”
Recently, some communities in Bayelsa and Rivers states had published an advertorial calling the attention of the government to look into the activities of the JTF Commander.

The statement said: “We the indigenes of Bony, Nembe, Kula and Bille communities are forced to cry out again after the publication of May 15, 2018 in the Vanguard newspaper on page 22. Since that publication the activities of oil bunkering has increased ten folds in our communities. Oil bunkering vessels come in every two days to load crude oil from Bony, Nembe, Kula and Bille under military escorts who pilot them in and out of our communities. We commend the efforts of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) and Commanding Officer 29 Battalion Port Harcourt for his efforts to combat oil bunkering activities. But the bad eggs in the Army and the Navy are actively involved in oil bunkering in Bony, Nembe, Kula, and Bille communities in Rivers and Bayelsa states.

“We call on the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Naval Staff to direct their field officers and commanders to stop their men from collaborating with oil bunkerers and pipeline vandals in Bony and Nembe axis and Kula and Bille –both in Rivers and Bayelsa who operate in broad daylight under the escort of Army and Navy personnel from Port Harcourt to Bayelsa. The brazen manner in which vessels come in and out of Bonny and Nembe is very alarming. Kula and Bille are not left out. The ongoing battle by the GOC and Commanding Officer of 29 Battalion in Kula and Bille to combat pipeline vandals and oil bunkerers should be extended to Bony and Nembe.”
In yet another statement, the communities urged President Muhammadu Buhari to stop the saboteurs from ruining the efforts of his administration to fight corruption and provide succour for the masses.

“We commend President Buhari for his doggedness and resilience in spite of all the distraction by detractors and enemies of progress. We want to draw the attention of Mr President to the activities of oil thieves in the Niger Delta, especially in Rivers and Bayelsa states. We have raised the alarm on the increased activities of oil thieves (crude oil theft) and illegal refinery in Bony, Nembe, Kula, and Bille communities in Rivers and Bayelsa in two separate publications in the Vanguard newspaper of May 15 and 24, 2018 which were swept under the carpet.”

Giving Buhari compelling reasons why he must act fast, the statement added: “Mr President, it is worrisome that the central command of the Navy and Army charged with the responsibility of ensuring that these illegal activities do not take place in the Niger Delta region are directly collaborating with oil thieves and illegal refineries in Rivers and Bayelsa to sabotage the Nigerian economy. How best can we describe the situation where naval and army personnel escort barges of oil bunkers to the open sea for business with foreign nationals waiting with huge ships to buy the stolen products? We urge Mr President to put a halt to this and direct all service chiefs –the Navy, Army and Air Force to bring the culprits to book. Rivers and Bayelsa states are the gateway of illegal oil theft in Nigeria."

http://meganews.com.ng/2018/05/30/apochi-suleman-the-jtf-commander-feeding-fat-on-illegal-bunkering/

-As Police declare bankers wanted

The Divisional Police Office, Lion Building, Campbell Street at the Lagos Island has declared eight persons, who were of the banking profession, wanted over charges bordering on fraudulent theft of over N600 million naira from depositors’ accounts with First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

After securing an arrest warrant from a magistrate court in Lagos, the police division stated that the suspects, if seen, should be arrested and brought to its station or the nearest police station, even as it gave 08033068667 and 08182465467 as numbers that can be reached by anyone who comes across the wanted persons.

The names of the bankers as declared in the official gazette and made available to meganews.com.ng are: Linda Natufe Chekwube, Matthew Akpan Benny, Juwon Faromoh, Oluwasoji Ajetumobi, Ogunlaja Olasukanmi Ganiyu, Oshiojum Chibuzor Wilson, Akanaga Christian Chika and Nelson Omuzagha.

The names and offences for which the bankers are on the wanted list can be seen and read in the special police gazette bulletin published below.

Though, the Adam Nuru-led FCMB prides itself as one of the most reliable financial institutions in Nigeria, depositors have continued to wonder how safe their monies are with the lender as the bank has become a safe haven for fraudulent officials.

Recall that a staff of the bank, Adejare Sonde, was arraigned recently over the theft of N124million from a depositor’s account.

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in Ibadan Zone, arraigned the suspect before Justice A. A. Akinyemi of the State High Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on a 12-count charge bordering on stealing, forgery and uttering.

Sonde was accused of using his position as the account officer to a micro-finance bank to steal N124 million from the customer’s account.

The petitioner explained that Sonde, as account officer of the customer, allegedly collected cash from the micro-finance bank on several occasions totaling N124 million which were not credited into the customer’s account.

Further investigations revealed that the defendant (Sonde) allegedly doctored emails which he sent to the micro-finance bank as monthly statements of account, while there was no remittance in the account.

Similarly, on January 19, two officials of the bank, identified as Walter Ekomaye and Ebenezer Adelowo, were also arraigned for allegedly making illegal withdrawal of N23 million from customers’ accounts and stealing N17.5 million from Automated Teller Machine (ATM) deposits.








http://meganews.com.ng/2018/05/22/fcmb-depositors-lose-over-n600m-to-fraudulent-staff/


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An aggrieved customer has sued First Bank Nigeria Plc over a fraudulent activity on his account with the bank running into over N800,000. The customer, named Bode Abolade, resides in Nigeria, but has alleged that a fraud was perpetrated as his account was debited for shopping in London and flight tickets bought in far away Budapest in Hungary.

Abolade, who is seeking redress against the bank, joined MasterCard West Africa Limited as co –defendant in the litigation. In an amended statement of claims filed on his behalf by a Lagos-based lawyer, Barrister Ganiyu Bello, the customer averred that he maintains a current account with First Bank of Nigeria which he has been operating since 2006 directly by cheques and with the MasterCard procured from the bank after due payment which he uses electronically through Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).

With the card bearing the MasterCard Trade Mark and produced by MasterCard West Africa Limited, it’s advertised to be internationally acceptable and acknowledged and therefore projected to have high technological protection, hence the plaintiff’s confidence in using the MasterCard.

However, Mr Abolade averred further that on 17th August, 2012 he discovered that his account with First Bank was fraudulently debited the sum of N750,509.77 arising from unknown and unauthorized transactions. He promptly complained via voice call and as well by e-mail, with his complaint acknowledged. Thereafter, he physically visited the head office of the bank at Marina, Lagos State on several occasions and he was told that the matter was under investigation.

In its letter dated 5th September, 2012, First Bank denied liability, forcing to write the Central Bank of Nigeria on the issue. In its response on September 27, 2012, the CBN directed First bank to review his complaint and respond within 72hours. While awaiting First Bank’s response, the plaintiff made a formal complaint to MasterCard West Africa on September 10, 2012, with MasterCard advising him to apply for the payment of provisional credit to his account within 60days in its response. In accordance with the advice, he requested for provisional credit to be placed on his account to the bank on September 11, 2012 but the bank did not respond to the request.

Pursuant to CBN’s directives, First Bank made available details of the unauthorized transactions on his account, a copy of which was sent to him as follows: (a) Online transaction receipt for 3 internet purchases of auto parts made by Mr Manuel Caser of 22 Greengate street London and third from Digital and (b) Two Air Tickets purchased on Wizz Air in Budapest showing Passengers’ names Gamote Iordam and Alina Claudia Duma respectively.

Despite Abolade making it clear he does not know any of these persons, neither did he authorize the transactions, the bank neglected to demand from the merchants Turner Shop and Wizz Air or their banks the sum of N750509.77 arising from the unlawful transactions on his account within 60days of occurrence as per the charge process and as advised by MasterCard. He also declared that there was never a time the details of his MasterCard, which is always in his possession, disclosed to anyone, and in the circumstances of this matter, First bank is liable for the online fraud committed on his account because it arose from card skimming and/or counterfeiting.

He contended further that the online fraud committed on his account was not due to his negligence but by means of other compromises of the defendants’ security because the information required for online transactions are open and accessible only to the staff of First bank who handed over the MasterCard to him at the inception as well as the staff of MasterCard who had the custody of the card before issuance. He stated that the loss of his N750,509.77 from his account has put him under serious financial strains and stress so much so that he could not carry out important projects already lined up for execution. Mr Abolade added that his account, which has been debit frozen since August 2012 to avoid further complications, has constrained him access to his funds in the account and therefore cannot transact any other businesses in the cashless environment of Lagos state. The bank, in spite of several demands, has failed to reimburse him and in consequence, he is claiming from the defendants jointly and severally for the reimbursement of N750,509.77 and N10million damages respectively plus interest at the rate of 21% per annum with effect from August 17, 2012 until entire sum is fully paid.

However, in its amended statement of defence filed by Novolex Solicitors, First Bank, while describing the plaintiff‘s suit as speculative, vexatious and an abuse of judicial process, urged the court to dismiss same with substantial cost on the ground that the reported transactions in this instance showed that the plaintiff’s card was used to order auto parts in United Kingdom and to pay for airline tickets. These transactions could not have been possible without at least the initiator or enabler knowing the number and other details, thus buttressing the fact that the plaintiff must have compromised his security information.

First Bank also stated that as a precautionary measure to prevent further dissipation of the funds therein and to enable the bank carry out full investigation into the complainant’s withdrawals, another account was opened for the plaintiff to enable him to continue his normal banking transactions.

http://meganews.com.ng/2018/04/17/customer-seeks-10million-damages-against-first-bank-mastercard-over-atm-fraud/

Immediate-past Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan has said he wants to represent Delta South Senatorial District at the Senate in 2019 because of his desire to pursue quality legislation that will lead to the end of the crisis in the Niger Delta region.

In a media chat recently, the medical doctor who left indelible marks in the state after his eight-year rule as a governor said he would soon officially declare his intention to contest the senatorial seat of Delta South at the National Assembly.

“I have not declared but I have decided to run. The official declaration is going to be very soon,” Dr. Uduaghan said.

Dr. Uduaghan, who was instrumental to the emergence of the incumbent senator representing Delta South, Senator James Manager 15 years ago, also said he withdrew from the race in 2015 to ensure that peace reigned in the state as he has always maintained that peace was more important than electoral victories. He, however, noted that the coast was now clear for him to serve his people. In his words: “Despite the pressure from the good people of Delta South in 2015, I decided to step down, but looking at the horizon now, the issues that caused the security challenges that made me to shelve my ambition in 2015 are no longer there.”

Uduaghan, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), gave reasons why he wants to go to the upper chamber of the National Assembly and spoke of his plans for his constituency, the Niger Delta and the entire country.

According to him, without being boastful and in terms of capacity, he had the capacity to do the work of a senator in Delta South Senatorial District, and the experience he garnered over the years as commissioner, Secretary to the state government, governor, among others, had prepared him to serve at the national level.

“I was commissioner for four years under Chief James Ibori and I was close to him. I knew what he was doing in terms of peace issues. I was the first state government official to enter into creeks to meet ex-militant chief, Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo in the heart of the Niger Delta as SSG to start negotiating peace with him. I did it severally when I was the governor of Delta State. At one of the outings, it was even the soldiers that pointed AK-47 at me when I was coming back.

“Sometimes, I would come back at night from negotiating peace, so I know the place in and out. I have been there in the day and at night, in fact, at one of them, I was sitting on a chair with about 20 of the boys with their guns, they were drinking, and we were there for three hours negotiating peace. I know the challenges; let me just say this, what we did and what the government has been doing is having what I call two boxes in managing the problems,” he explained.

The former governor said the first was that of engagement, as he used his influence then to mobilize religious leaders, traditional rulers and the youths to engage the boys in the creek in dialogue.

“We had the other box of enforcement; that is, using the military, the army, the police, navy, etc. One will think that with the two boxes, that would be enough to deal with the problems, but they are still there and re-occurring in different forms, some criminality and some genuine agitation; we still have the Niger Delta Avengers bursting pipelines; sometimes, we have those hijacking boats and sometimes ethnic quarrels,” he said.

According to Uduaghan, from his experience, the military, as an enforcement body was not a permanent solution to the problems in the Niger Delta as they were not very familiar with the terrain, “so, when the thing is really happening, it requires mobilizing the young people to show them the terrain or to prevent the crisis.

“For us to move forward, we must have an enforcement body that includes the community; especially the youths in the community, since they know the terrain. It is easier for people in that area to try and carry out enforcement or execute security challenges; it is easier for people in that area to know those who are involved in illegal bunkering. There are two parts to it, there is the part of genuine agitation, which has now been mixed with criminality and the criminality seems to have overshadowed the genuine agitation.

“To deal with it, we need the local people to be involved in the security arrangement and that will require legislation. The Waterway Security Committee I put up for instance, there is no law backing it up, so we need to put up laws that will help us in moving forward in solving the Niger Delta crisis.”

The Itsekiri-born politician added that there were lots of projects abandoned in the Niger Delta, and specific laws were needed to revamp these projects. If there were previous laws, he said, there was the need to bring them out and tailor them to meet what is happening in the Niger Delta.

“All these engagements we are doing, we need to promulgate laws backing the engagements, there is a lot of environmental damages going on. There are laws backing the environment, but we need to tidy them up. What I have done is to get a team of lawyers, they have looked at the laws and brought them out as it affects issues in the Niger Delta,” he said.

He lamented that since the crises in the Niger Delta, nobody has been prosecuted or brought to book.

“Nobody has been prosecuted so far. First of all, you cannot catch them and the people that are supposed to catch them don’t know how to catch them. I am going there to put up an enforcement body of people who know them and can get them and take them to court. If we are not serious of law and order in the Niger Delta, we will continue to have crisis.

“Right now, there is no law and order in the Niger Delta and we need to come out with and remind ourselves of the existing laws and tailor them towards the issues in the Niger Delta so that we can have permanent peace. A lawmaker is to make law and that will be my cardinal point. Also, there is the issue of attracting things to your area. There are very few people in the National Assembly that I don’t know. I have the capacity to attract things to my area more than anybody on the field today.

“Also, Nigeria has invested in me. Being in government for 16 years is a lot of investment. I think I should pay back by going to serve at the national level,” he explained.

The former number one citizen of Delta State, an exponent of modular refineries and development of the non-oil sector, promised not to collect his pension as a former governor while in senate if given the mandate by his people.

He also pledged to carry his constituents along by involving them in the lawmaking process and holding town hall meetings every six months.

“I am going to sign a contract with my people; the Senator-Citizens Contract. I have a group of lawyers who are already working on it,” he disclosed.

Asked his chances of picking the PDP ticket and eventually winning the senatorial election, Uduaghan, 63, sounded upbeat, noting that he is a grassroots politician well known and trusted by the people. He promised to justify the confidence reposed in him by ensuring them the very best representation if they give him the mandate to represent them in the Senate in 2019.

Already, various groups and individuals in the Delta South Senatorial District are waiting with bated breath to see their amiable son of the soil in the race as they believe he will replicate in their constituency his magic that turned around entire Delta State.

http://meganews.com.ng/2018/04/17/why-i-want-to-represent-delta-south-in-the-senate-uduaghan/

From the promise of mouth-watering delicacies to the allure of savoury wine tastings, the 2018 GTBank Food and Drink Fair is set to deliver, in 3 days, an experience that will certainly remain unmatched for the entire year.

On April 29th, 30th and May 1st, 2018, the third edition of the GTBank Food and Drink Fair will bring together small businesses in Nigeria’s food sector, more than a dozen internationally renowned chefs and food experts and thousands of food lovers to create the biggest food experience in Africa.

Organised by foremost African financial institution, Guaranty Trust Bank plc, the GTBank Food and Drink Fair is designed to celebrate Nigeria’s vibrant food culture whilst promoting enterprise in the small business sector of the Food Industry.

The 3-day event is free for all to attend and provides small businesses with a free and vibrant platform to connect with a wider segment of their target markets as well as experts in their business fields. Having hosted over 250,000 people and helped hundreds of small businesses achieve record sales, the GTBank Food and Drink Fair has, over the past 2 years, become a major event in the social calendar of Nigerians and beyond.

This year, the GTBank Food and Drink Fair will feature a series of Masterclasses in the art and business of food and drink whilst treating attendees to a host of live cooking demonstrations of their favourite delicacies by renowned international and indigenous chefs. The carefully curated selection of small food businesses will offer the best culinary experiences in Lagos and beyond. There will be a space for Street Food, which will offer the best of local delicacies, as well as a Farmer’s Market where SMEs involved in agriculture will sell fresh and organic farm products.

Attendeescan also expect a fabulously diverse range of gastronomic delights from restaurants and outdoor grills well-known for setting taste buds on fire and an exciting mix of eclectic cocktails.



Commenting on the 2018 GTBank Food & Drink Fair, Mr. Segun Agbaje, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, said; “Alongside the unparalleled culinary experience, the GTBank Food and Drink Fair showcases the richness of Africa’s food culture and the vibrancy of the small businesses involved in the industry. This year, we have added an extra day to the fair, thereby increasing the opportunities for small businesses to connect to more consumers as well as businesses.

He further stated that, “Apart from the amazing experiences that we create for our tens of thousands of guests, it is the personal testimonials that we receive from small businesses that speak to the true value of the GTBank Food and Drink Fair. Behind these small businesses are hard-working fathers, enterprising mothers and incredibly passionate youths, and when they share their remarkable stories of record sales at the fair, we see not just the impact of our efforts at Promoting Enterprise but the immense capacity of our organization as a Platform for Enriching Lives.”

GTBank has consistently played a leading role in Africa’s banking industry. The GTBank brand is regarded by industry watchers as one of the best run financial institutions across its subsidiary countries and serves as a role model within the financial service industry due to its bias for world class corporate governance standards, excellent service quality and innovation.

TheBank is also going beyond the traditional understanding of Corporate Social Responsibility as corporate philanthropy by intervening in key economic sectors to strengthen small businesses through non-profit consumer focused fairs and capacity building initiatives that serve to boost their expertise, exposure and business growth.

http://meganews.com.ng/2018/04/11/the-2018-gtbank-food-and-drink-fairset-to-hold-for-3-days/

We can exclusively reveal that Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has joined the 2019 Presidential race.

There is no doubt that he would be a formidable force that should not be ignored because only few politicians in Nigeria today have the pedigree, the experience, the clout and the connection of Senator Bukola Saraki.

Having risen to the enviable position of the number three citizen, the only place to go for the two-term Senator and former two-term governor is up! Indeed, Saraki is not new to the dynamics of power politics, he is the scion of a political dynasty that is well-known across the nation.

His father, the late Oloye, Dr. Olusola Saraki was a revered politician. He did not only rose to become the Senate Leader of Nigeria under the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), but was the Chief Strategist and King Maker of Kwara Politics.

Born on December 19, 1962, Saraki went to Ivy League schools in Nigeria and United Kingdom. His parents certainly prepared him well for the tough task ahead. He attended Corona School, Victoria Island, Lagos, where he obtained a First School Leaving Certificate, attended King’s College, Lagos where he got his West African School Certificate, went to Cheltenham College in the United Kingdom for his High School Certificate. And then studied at the London Hospital Medical College of the University of London from 1982 to 1987, where he obtained his M.B.B.S (London).

He has all the criteria that a modern Nigerian president should have, he is tall, urbane, suave, charismatic, cool and collected. But behind this charm, is a man of steel who is never afraid to pursue causes that he feels are right and just.
Read more at

http://meganews.com.ng/2018/03/31/exclusive-senate-president-bukola-saraki-joins-presidential-race/

Electorates in the Delta South Senatorial District have vowed not to treat the 2019 elections with kid’s gloves, especially as it has to do with their representation in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.

Majority of those whose opinions were sampled agreed that they have not been feeling the impact of democratic dividends for a long time, but in 2019, things will be different.
To this end, while politicians are making the rounds with marathon consultations and secret meetings, they have already weighed in potential candidates who are aspiring to the position, even as the Independent National Electoral commission has not officially declared it campaign open.

Two heavyweights; the immediate past governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan and the incumbent senator representing Delta South in the Senate, Senator James Manager are said to be consulting leaders of the party and those that matter in determining their chances for the Delta South Senatorial District seat.

There are other aspirants also, most notably being one Chief Michael Ejele, a member of Delta State House of Assembly from Sapele who has already littered the state with his posters for the plump job. However, political pundits have already written him off as his chances are slim. They view his moves as a tactical weapon to negotiate his return to the Delta State House of Assembly and not really the senate seat.

So, the race is between the incumbent, Senator James Manager who has spent 12 years in the National Assembly and is still itching to return there, and the immediate-past governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.

As the people clamour for Dr. Uduaghan to represent them, everyone is waiting to see how the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP will manage the choice of candidacy between these two political heavyweights and the aftermath of it so that it will not affect the chances of the party in the forthcoming elections.
From all indications, the immediate-past governor is not really a problem to the party because he is known to be a man who believes so much in the ideology and development of the party while the party’s fear at the moment is Senator James manager who inversely is not so strong in the belief of abiding to party decision and may decide to defect if eventually he does not win the party’s primaries.

James Manager has a lot of hurdles to clear if truly he desires to return to the national assembly. One of such hurdles is that the people of Delta South are said to be tired of his representation. Their argument is hinged on the fact that he has been in the national assembly for over 12 years and they can’t even feel his impact.

And for Dr. Uduaghan, he is not an upstart in politics. He is synonymous with excellence. He is not only a hard worker but a master planner whom observers believe stands a better chance to face the growing strength of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state. This political oracle held fort while Chief James Ibori was away and the fortunes of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the state did not dwindle nor did lose the state to the opposition.
As governor of Delta state, Dr. Uduaghan created a lot of landmark achievements which still stands today in the Big Heart state.

Though, Dr. Uduaghan has not officially declared his interest for the Senate, sources disclosed that he is already consulting with those that matter. Today, he would have been in senate but for his respect and belief in party supremacy, he shelved the idea in 2015 to enable Senator James Manager have another stint.
"If he eventually declares his interest, many factors will work in Dr. Uduaghan’s favour", one of the sources said.
"One, as Delta State governor, he did a lot for the state in health, education, roads, job creation and meeting the needs of youths and the aged."
"There is no one who did not benefit from his programmes and this has endeared him to the people. Dr. Uduaghan commands respect amongst all the ethnic groups in the state, so it will be difficult for his opponent to defeat him, our source said.

Pundits believe that since he was able to keep the political structure Ibori left behind intact, except for a few ones who left, party members will support him any day because he has proven to be a strong PDP man.
According to our source, “the party itself knows that if Uduaghan is not given the senate ticket for Delta South, it will definitely lose the seat to opposition."

Dr. Uduaghan is highly experience as a politician. Chief Olu Falae, former secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria summed it up during Uduaghan’s 60th birthday celebration, declaring that as a commissioner for Health and later secretary to the state government and then governor, he has garnered experience politically. “He is one of the people who have a lot of experience which is basically lacking in Nigeria. To that extent we have learnt a lot from him; he is very calm and he listens before he talks.”

As the drama keeps unfolding, political analysts are watching to see how the ruling party will handle the choice of its flag bearer in the forthcoming election in the state, with the general fear that if poorly handled, the seat will end up being a plus for opposition in the district.

Also lending their voices in support of Dr. Uduaghan’s senatorial move is a socio-political pressure group founded on the philosophy of working against all forms of selfish politicians /politicking in Delta State, the Developmental Advocates of Warri North, DAWN.
In a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting held at Koko, headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area, recently, DAWN asserted that the call on Dr. Uduaghan to contest the senatorial seat became necessary after a committee it set up to study potential aspirants for the position recommended the former Delta State Governor, based on his antecedents in peace building and achievements in the public offices he held in Delta State between 2009 and 2015.
The communiqué signed by Inojulagho Amaju, Coordinator and Ayonuwe Clifford, Lead, Grassroots Education, on behalf of DAWN, averred, “we reserve the right to be represented by intellectuals who will revert the respect we are almost losing grip of at the National stage”.
According to the Warri group, the 7.6km Umeh Road in Isoko, which ended 30 years of abandonment of the agrarian community, the Abigborodo Bridge project in Warri North, Ugbenu Koko Road, the 0-5 years free health care delivery programme across the state and the revolutionary Uduaghan Park, “which brought transportation across Delta State to an easy and comfortable ride with lowest fares”, are achievements of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan that makes him eminently qualified to vie for the prominent legislative position in 2019.

The group also mentioned the construction of”10 International Model Schools” in the three senatorial districts of Delta State, the construction /renovation of hundreds of schools,the introduction of EDUMARSHAL programme to ensure the downtrodden children go to school free of charge as well as the payment of enrollment fees for SSCE candidates as some other reasons that informed their decision to back Dr. Uduaghan’s senatorial ambition.

They averred that a man who sacrificed his senatorial ambition for the sake of peace in Delta State, particularly inter-ethnic harmony in Delta South should be given all the necessary support to represent Delta South in 2019, describing the former Secretary to Delta State Government as “an intellectual and bridge builder with the requisite National as well as International connections for the job.”

In a related development, another social-political pressure group which cuts across the 8 Local Government Area of Delta South Senatorial district, Delta South Grassroot Movement, have also pledged their undying support towards the realization of the senatorial ambition of Dr. Uduaghan.
Speaking in a visit to the former number 1 citizen of Delta State in his Warri country home, the group interim coordinator, Mr Matthew Oritsemoyo thanked the former Governor for heeding to the cry of the people from the region, which has been neglected and grossly marginalized by the federal Government due to lack of robust and effective representation at the upper house of the National Assembly. Oritsemoyo further advised Dr. Uduaghan not to relent, as this is the time Delta State and the Niger Delta in particular needs his wealth of experience and connections in Abuja.

In his reaction, the immediate past Governor thanked the group for putting the meeting together in a very coordinated manner and in the shortest possible time, noting that lawmaking is the primary responsibilities of legislators, whilst attracting projects to the area is an added responsibility. In his words, "I am not going to the Senate to bring and share KEKE NAPEP once a year, I am certainly not going to be a sleeping senator, I shall see to the realization of the Gas City Revolution Industrial Park (Export Processing Zone) Ogidigben, which will employ over 300,000 Deltans and Nigerians. I will also ensure peace and security is achieve in the region; I will also be involved in senatorial engagements twice a year, amongst other things."

Speaking further, Dr. Uduaghan urged his supporters to make their campaigns issue based and shun campaigns of calumny as everyone in the region are brothers and members of one family.

http://meganews.com.ng/2018/03/31/senate-2019-delta-south-rallies-support-for-emmanuel-uduaghan/

No fewer than 2,000 of the workforce of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc have been promoted as part of the pan-African financial institution’s commitment to reward excellence and high performance, representing about 17% of total staff strength across the group.

This is in recognition of the remarkable contribution the staff members have made to the bank’s business growth as highlighted by the impressive performance recorded in its recently released 2017 financial year-end results.

The announcement, which came on Monday, is especially heartening in the face of the numerous economic challenges faced by major financial institutions on the continent, most of whom are yet to recover from the impact of the recessive business climate that rocked many companies in 2016 and a greater part of last year.



It is important to note that about a year ago, the bank had promoted 3,000 staff members, 25% of its workforce, while also doling out cash rewards to deserving staff for exemplary conduct and performance that year.

This year’s promotion, as with others, has been commended by human resources analysts who have noted that UBA, which was mentioned in a recent survey as one of the “Best 100 Companies To Work For in Nigeria” has become synonymous with rewarding excellence. The announcement has also been greeted with joy and enthusiasm by the workforce of the bank.

The affected staff that cut across all units, divisions and 19 countries where UBA operates were selected after the completion of appraisal system that identified high performers in the bank among other criteria.

The Bank’s Group Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka in an email to staff of the bank described the promotion as ‘dividends of hard work’, adding that with the recent proclamation of UBA as the African Bank of 2017 by the Banker Magazine; as well as the ranking as Best of Bank of the Year in Cameroun, Congo Brazzaville, Senegal and Tchad, it is only right to recognise, reward and celebrate the performance of the staff who have worked tirelessly to achieve this.

On March 16th 2018, the online lifestyle network powered by the United Bank for Africa, REDTV, held an exclusive screening for season 2 of the hit series, Inspector K , at Filmhouse Cinema in Lekki, Lagos.

Inspector K is a crime comedy about a wacky inspector who through unconventional ways solves crimes in the city of Lagos. He is supported by two clueless but surprisingly sometimes intelligent police officers.

This season the super inspector has finally met his match. He is dealing with a cartel that seems to be completely untraceable and is always one step ahead of him: drugs, murders, major heist and thievery.

The heat is on as Inspector K’s station tries to uncover this menacing group, but this time they enlist the help of another station and a Special agent from “the abroad”. The only problem is Inspector K is not the best at working in a team as the spotlight seems to get smaller and smaller.

‘Inspector K is back better than ever. The cinematography is top quality and the script got funnier. REDTV continues to break barriers as it brings together the best in the industry in all its productions’

This Season promises plenty of laughs, forced teamwork, bad guys, a boss and a potentially awkward love story we present to you #InspectorK season 2… Thief, Murderer and The Boss.

The series, which is set to launch on REDTV on March 21st, stars Koye “K 10” Kekere-Ekun, Charlie Chen, Folu Storms, Bosun Shadare, Jemima Osunde, Demi Banwo, Obi Obiora, Martin Ayeni, Damola Layonu and many more.

Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered Wema Bank Plc., to pay the sum of N10 million to a 22-year-old US-based Nigerian model, Miss Nneoma Anosike, for using her picture to market its product without her knowledge.The judge also directed the bank to write a letter of apology to Anosike and publish same in two national dailies in Nigeria and US.
Justice Buba while noting that the model is entitled to her privacy and the privacy of her correspondence, under Section 37 of the Constitution, also handed down an order of injunction, restraining Wema Bank from passing off or causing and or enabling others to pass off Anosike’s professional services.

The model had in a suit, filed through her lawyer, Gideon Okebu, urged the court to direct Wema Bank to pay her N75 million, for passing-off on her services.

The lawyer also prayed for an order directing the bank to pay his client N20 million, for breaching her privacy by advertising her private correspondence. He also demanded for another N20 million, as special cost for filing the suit.



At the trial of the suit, the father of the model, Frank Anosike, gave his evidence and tendered nine exhibits, which were admitted by the court.

The bank also testified through one Bryan Igbinedion, but tendered no exhibit.

In the suit, the plaintiff, alleged that on April 11, 2016, the defendant used her picture for commercial purpose in a social network, called ‘Instagram’ without her consent or authorisation from the management of Ford Models Inc, a company in USA with which she had agreement to manage her career as a model.

The plaintiff further claimed that she is a reputable and international model, who had won many laurels within and outside the country, among which was ‘Elite Model Look’, 2013.

She added that based on her reputation, Pepsi-Cola Nigeria made her its brand ambassador for Aquafina Water in 2014.

The plaintiff averred that her contract with Ford Models Inc., the company that took her to USA, is for period of three years and prior to the advert of the defendant, which used her as their model, the

American company was already negotiating with her on how to renew the contract.

She further claimed that On April 11, 2016, the management of Ford Models summoned her to a meeting on April 12, 2016 and in which she was presented with her photographic advert procured from account of the defendant on Instagram.

She alleged that the defendant mutilated and photo edited her professional photograph for the said advert and advertised it on the World Wide Web.

She said the action of the bank had breached the contractual agreement between her and the American company and had consequently jeopardised her chance of contract extension with Ford Models Inc.

However, the defendant (Wema Bank) in its statement of defence, averred that it was neither a party nor privy to any of the modeling contract of the plaintiff with any third party.

The defendant averred that the picture in question, was on social media before it was sourced for its online weekly motivational and educational series via social media, intended purely to inspire young online users.

The bank denied using the plaintiff’s picture for any advertisement purposes or for any commercial gain but purely for free educational purpose under its corporate social responsibility programme.

A Germany Based Businessman, Bartholomew Udeze, has dragged Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) to Court over an alleged N5.5m fraud.

Udeze claimed that GTBank colluded with unknown persons to defraud him of the sum of 5.5 million Naira. He is therefore asking for the money to be refunded, along with 500 million in damages.

Recall that Guaranty Trust Bank, one of the country’s biggest banks, is still at loggerheads with Innocent Chukwuma, the chairman of Innoson Motors with both parties using conflicting court judgements to press their claims. Allegations and counter-allegations are still flying around, like balls thrown with reckless abandon during a snow fight.

While all eyes are on Innoson vs GTB, another person has taken the bank to court and is claiming damages for loss of business, embarrassment and trauma.

While GTB went into their fight with Innoson with all guns blazing, it is unclear how they will deal with this new threat on their flanks. Even as the case is set to be heard by an Abuja High Court, no end seems to be in sight for the litigation troubles the bank has been experiencing in recent times.

Even the best-prepared army will soon falter if it has to contend on several battle fronts at the same time. As resources are stretched instead of concentrated in one place, focus wanes and the taste of victory slowly recedes until it becomes a dream. Big-time financial institution, GTBank seems not to have learned this lesson as they are currently at war with different individuals in a move that is threatening to sink their reputation, and business, without trace.

http://meganews.com.ng/2018/03/29/n5-5m-fraud-businessman-bartholomew-udeze-drags-gtbank-to-court/

Two staff of Fidelity Bank Plc, Wasiu Adegbemi and Kemi Adegboyega, have been dragged before a Federal High Court for defrauding customers of the bank of a whooping N150 million.

This is barely few weeks after a senior staff at the Allen Avenue branch of the bank made away with N250 million belonging to a customer.

Adegbemi and Adegboyega are said to have committed the crime sometime in March 2017, along with their accomplices – Ismaeel Salami, Chukwunomso Ifeanyi, Okpetu John, James Idagu, Oyelade Shola, Osuolale Hameed, Akeem Adeshina, and others who have since absconded to evade justice.

Some of them are, shockingly, staff of telecommunications giant MTN. This is according to charge sheet FHC/L248C/!7 at the Federal High Court of Nigeria in Lagos.

Together, they allegedly conspired to steal a total of N150 million belonging to Messrs Olusanjo Kazeem Ayofe, Aslan Investment Limited, Idowu Ibironke and Ayodeji Fagbohun who had been maintaining accounts with the bank for a long time.

To aid them in their dastardly plan, they somehow plotted with some unscrupulous staff of MTN to transfer the plaintiffs’ phone numbers to other SIM cards under the guise of a SIM swap registration. This ensured the plaintiffs would not get any notification of financial transactions on their accounts during the period of the fraud.

Thereafter, the fraudsters proceeded to use illegally-acquired ATM cards to fraudulently siphon money from the plaintiffs’ bank accounts.

A source in the bank, who spoke on the issue, said the senior management of Fidelity Bank is jittery at the spate of fraud by staff, which is beginning to drag the bank’s name to the mud.

http://meganews.com.ng/2018/03/29/another-multi-million-fraud-rocks-fidelity-bank/

Fastest growing financial institution in Nigeria, Keystone Bank Limited, is set to hold a seminar tagged ‘Keystone Bank Career Insight Day’ for young Nigerian undergraduates with a future career in banking.

The programme is part of the lender’s commitment to continually build skills and expand knowledge base of persons with keen interest in pursuing a career in the financial sector.

The one-day conference which is the maiden edition is billed to hold on Wednesday 28th March, 2018 at the Keystone Bank Learning Academy located at Plot 1397, Tiamiyu Savage street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

At the event, banking professionals will take participants (who should at least be in their third year) through series of discussions into what life in a commercial bank is really like and also gain unique exposure to a career in banking operations. The discussions will include both classroom and on-the-job training, team building exercises and networking.





Speaking about the initiative, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Keystone Bank Limited, Mr. Obeahon Ohiwerei said: "This programme is in line with Keystone Bank’s CSR commitment to empower Nigerian youths."

"The platform will create an opportunity for young undergraduates in tertiary institutions to be impacted by professionals towards a successful career."

"As a financial institution, we understand the role of the youth in building a robust economy and the growth of the nation. They are the leaders oftomorrow, so, we believe in catching them young". He stated.

On how to participate in the programme, the bank said: “Interested applicants on track for a second-class degree (or higher) with a keen interest in pursuing a career within a financial institution, are to write a minimum of 250-word essay on why they should be selected for this opportunity, containing personal information, school and year of study, course detail and any relevant work experience acquired thus far. The essay should be designed to impress us and forwarded to corpcom@keystonebankng.com”.

http://meganews.com.ng/2018/03/14/keystone-bank-holds-career-insight-day-for-undergraduates/

An advocacy group for the promotion of good governance in Enugu State, Youth Coalition for Good Governance, has raised the alarm that some politicians are trying to lure its members to deploy their platform to fabricate and dish out lies with the aim of misinforming members of the public and changing their positive opinion about the “visionary and people-oriented” administration in Enugu and the State House of Assembly.



The group in a statement by its coordinator and secretary, Hon. Ikechukwu Ibeh and Engr. Jude Onyema, stated that the alarm became necessary in view of the pressure being mounted on them by the desperate individuals to accede to their selfish request.



The body added that its leaders rejected the offer presented to them because of their conviction that the plot was immoral, mischievous and baseless.



The group disclosed that the ulterior motive of the sponsors of the planned smear campaign, in their usual tradition, revolves around their selfish political interest in 2019 general elections, adding that they had displayed similar crass desperation in the build-up to the 2015 elections, but failed woefully.



It further pointed out that the sponsors are envious of the good works of the present administration in the state in spite of the nation’s economic challenges and the goodwill, solidarity and support the government enjoys from the people as well as the undisputed status of Enugu as a peaceful and secure state.



The group stated that they also rejected the offer in appreciation of the harmonious and peaceful relationship between the state government and the House of Assembly, stressing that such devious plot should not be encouraged.



The body recalled that it is on record that the present administration had received several commendations from reputable institutions for prudent and judicious management of the finances of the state such as the federal government bailout funds to states, Paris Club refunds and monthly federal allocation, etc, to address the needs of the people, wondering why anyone would attempt to undermine these laudable feats.



It added that, “it is noteworthy that at a time most states are unable to pay workers’ salaries, the Government of Enugu State is up-to-date in payment of salaries; has recorded tremendous achievements in massive infrastructural development and even went further to pay the 13th month salary to civil servants of the state as Christmas bonus, among others, in keeping with its commitment to the wellbeing of the people”.



The group noted that those behind the plot are also uncomfortable with the harmonious working relationship between the executive and the legislative arm, which it said, was responsible for the many remarkable achievements in the state attained through due process and strict adherence to budget implementation.



While alerting the public of such mischief, the group advised that “those behind the plot should have a rethink and channel their energy and resources to useful engagements that would add value to the development of Enugu State”.


http://meganews.com.ng/2018/01/31/enugu-group-raises-alarm-smear-campaign/

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday re- arraigned two oil marketers for allegedly defrauding Fidelity bank PLC over the sum of N7.3 billion.
However, charged alongside the duo are: Kehinde Ogbor, Danium Energy Services Limited, Sibet Oil Services Limited, Loveth Miyemi Ogbor, and Rhombi Energy limited, who are all at large.
The defendants identified as Ejere Chris and Edoma Omagha were docked before Justice Sherifat Solebo of an Ikeja High Court, Lagos on a 10 count charge of conspiracy and fraud.
Part of the charge reads: “That you, Ejere Kelvin Chris, Edoma Omagha, Kehinde Eliot Ogbor (at large), Danium Energy Services Limited (at large), Sibet Oil Services Limited (at large), Loveth Miyemi Ogbor (at large) and Rhombi Energy Limited (at large) sometime between the months of January 2017 and February 2017 at Lagos, conspired amongst yourselves to dishonestly convert and steal the cumulative sum of N7.3 billion.”
It was learnt that Danium Energy Services Limited allegedly approached the petitioner, Fidelity Bank Plc, between January 17 and February 9, last year to finance three different purchase orders for the sale of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) to Total Nigeria Plc, with a cumulative face value of N12.1 billion (N12,134,700.000).
Thereafter, the bank allegedly financed two of the purchase orders to the tune of N7.3 billion, after due confirmation from Total Nigeria Plc.
The products were allegedly supplied by Sibet Oil Services Limited and Rhombi Energy Limited and discharged at the Ibeto Tank farm, Apapa.
The bank was said to have engaged an independent surveyor, International Logistics and Fulfilment Services Limited, which confirmed the existence of the products at Ibeto Tank Farm as well as the Department of Petroleum Resources.
However, when the bank approached Total Nigeria Plc for repayment, it was discovered that the purchase orders were forged by the accused persons.
The accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty to all count charges.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Idris Mohammed, in view of the defendants not guilty plea, asked the court for a date to commence trial.


http://meganews.com.ng/2018/01/30/efcc-re-arraigns-oil-marketers-allegedly-defrauding-fidelity-bank-7-3-billion/

Two Nigerian companies, Media Seal Limited (formerly Starcom Media Services Limited) and Bytesize Limited, as well as Mr. Ayo Oluwatosin, have dragged Hyundai Motors Nigeria Limited before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, over allegation of sale of defective automobile.

They are praying the court for an order compelling the automobile company to pay them a total of One Hundred and Sixty-Five Million, Five Hundred and Ninety-Five Naira (165, 595) only as refund of the purchase sum, breach of contract as well as general damages.

The claimants in their Writ of Summons denominated as ID/ADR/629/2017, are seeking a number of reliefs including a declaration that an Hyundai Grand Santa Fe GLS 3.3L AT Arabian Mocha/Black with Chassis number: KMHSN81EDFU097184 and Engine No: G6DFEA34538 sold to the claimants by Hyundai Motors is not fit for the purpose for which it was bought.

They are also praying the court for an order that Hyundai Motors refunds the sum of Fifteen Million Five Hundred and Ninety-Five Thousand Naira (15, 595, 000. 00) only being the amount paid for the said car.

The claimants are also praying for an order that they be paid Fifty Million Naira (50,000,000.00) only for breach of contract, and another One Hundred Million Naira (100,000,000.00) only as general damages.

The claimants is also seeking an order compelling the defendant to pay 15% interest to them from the day the suit was filed till judgement was given, as well as another 25% interest to them from the day judgement was given till judgement sum is liquidated.

In their statement of claim dated 9th November, 2017 signed by their counsel, Wale Ogunade the claimants averred that they purchased four (4) units of vehicles from Hyundai on the 1st June, 2016, as well as the car in question on 5th October, 2016.

The claimants further averred that the said cars were delivered to them on the 6th October and 2nd June, 2016, respectively.

They further stated that when the Grand Santa Fe GLS 3.3L was put to use between the 21st October and 26th October, 2016, it was discovered that the said vehicle had a brake problem, a development that was promptly brought to the attention of Hyundai Motors.

The claimants further averred that they received an internal correspondence from the automobile company through electronic mail on 26th, 27th, and 28th wherein Hyundai Motors reportedly urged some of its staff members that the repairs of the said vehicle be hastened to avoid suspicion by the claimants.

While pointing out that the parties reached an agreement on 23rd March, 2017, following the intervention of Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse, the claimants averred that it has come to their notice that Hyundai Motors has been in the news for defects in some of its vehicles of which some have been recalled by Hyundai Motors parent company.

In the written statement/deposition on oath of Mr. Oluwatosin, he stated that at a meeting held at Bonojo Badejo & Co office, Hyundai Motors demanded a fresh Four Million Naira (4,000,000.00) only for the replacement of the alleged defective car.

Hyundai Motors, however denied culpability in the transaction having according to it conducted extensive pre-delivery on every component parts of the vehicles and that all were found to be in perfect condition before handing the said vehicle over to the customers.

http://meganews.com.ng/2018/01/30/hyundai-faces-n165-million-suit-alleged-supply-defective-automobile/

Top Nigerian lender, Fidelity Bank Plc is championing a ground breaking innovation in the collection of internally generated revenue (IGR). Working in conjunction with SystemSpecs, a leading electronic financial transactions company and owners of Remita, Fidelity Bank has launched a more convenient collection and remittance of Federal Government Revenues via its Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) channel (*770#).

The solution, which is first of its kind in the industry is in response to some of the challenges faced by millions of customers when making their tax payments and remittance and the need for all tiers of government to provide convenient sources of revenue collection.

This innovative solution, according to the Divisional Head, Retail Banking, Richard Madiebo, was developed with the average tax payer in mind. “This payment option is borne largely from our desire to always provide easy and convenient payment channels to the semi-formal and informal tax markets in Nigeria”, adding that tax payers can now make payment efficiently, thus leading to reduction of leakages in the system for both the State and Federal Government.

He further explained that customers should simply dial 770# on the phone linked to theirs accounts and then use their unique Remita Retrieval Reference (RRR) generated from the Remita platform, to make payments using the USSD code *770*RRR# and conclude their transactions.

“Our operating model has always been to collaborate with forward-looking partners in the financial ecosystem, so that customers are able to consistently make smooth and convenient payments across diverse channels.” said Deremi Atanda, Executive Director at SystemSpecs.

“Partnering with an institution like Fidelity Bank to ensure customers are able to make TSA and other payments on their innovative USSD platform is in furtherance of our corporate ideals and the bank’s quest for the delivery of easy and convenient banking services”, Atanda said further.

Fidelity is a full-fledged commercial bank operating in Nigeria with over 3.8 million customers who are serviced across its 240 offices and various digital banking channels. The Bank is focused on select niche corporate banking sectors, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and is rapidly implementing a digital based retail banking strategy which has resulted in the following over the last three and half years; a 93 percent growth in savings deposits, 50 percent customer enrollment on debit cards and 30 percent of its customers now using its flagship mobile/internet banking products.

http://meganews.com.ng/2018/01/09/fidelity-bank-partners-systemspecs-federal-collections-via-770/

The founder and senior pastor of Champions Royal Assembly, Abuja, Bro. Joshua Iginla has prophetically advised Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari, to steer clear of any temptation of seeking re-election in 2019. He also told the president to beware of those he called “Judases” around him, saying they will abandon him after leading him to danger.

In his words, “In my vision, I saw His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari in a big boat, surrounded by men and they were sailing with him and when they got to the middle of the sea, there was a great tempest and the whole ship was shaking and I saw the people who were supposed to stand around him putting life vest, jumping out to swim away and they left him.”

The revered man of God whose prophesies have always come to pass also has more words for the president who came to power in 2015. “Mr. President, God said I should tell you, there are many ‘Judases’ around you, so many snakes who just want you to fail. They are already planning for you to sink."

“Mr. President, if you will ask for the mind of God, please leave 2019 for another person. God has used you to do wonderful things in this nation, you have fulfilled your agenda by fighting corruption the way no one else has been able to do. But, the ‘Judases’ around you cannot make you to fulfill your other mandates. They will thwart it.”

Please watch video here: https://www.facebook.com/joshuaiginlaministries/videos/1755683087785796/
http://meganews.com.ng/2018/01/09/bro-joshua-iginla-advises-buhari-beware-many-judases-around-forget-2019/

Parents of three girls from Ekiti State who were allegedly given three slots to travel to Dubai but ended in a slave camp in Libya are demanding the safe return of their children.

They made the call on Thursday at the State Police Command where a suspect who facilitated their trip, Dada Ogundare, was paraded.

Ogundare was paraded alongside a prophetess, Omoseeke Komolafe, who collected money from their parents and gave same to the trafficking suspect.

The suspects claimed that they only assisted the young ladies, one of whom was pregnant, to seek employment outside the country not knowing that they would end up as slaves.

The victims left Nigeria on November 25 by road rather than by air as they were promised that they were going to Dubai only to be taken to Libya where they were sold as slaves.

The parents explained that they later made attempt to bring their children back home but the traffickers in Libya demanded N1.2 million from them.

One of the parents, Mrs. Margaret Olorunfemi, revealed that she and Prophetess Komolafe are members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the same ward with deputy governor in Ikere-Ekiti.

Mrs. Olorunfemi disclosed that Prophetess Komolafe told her daughter that the deputy governor has been given four slots to be given to children of party members in his ward to travel to Dubai adding that they were told to make N150,000 available to facilitate the trip.

The woman said she was worried when she did not hear from her daughter. According to her, she was able to speak with her daughter on December 10 who told her that she was in a slave camp in Libya.

Mrs Olorunfemi said: “My child called that the prophetess had sold her into slavery that we should go and meet the deputy governor that we should get N1.2 million before they can be freed from slavery.”

Another Ikere woman whose daughter was trapped in Libyan slave camp, Mrs. Feyisayo Adedayo, revealed that her daughter is pregnant.

She said: “My daughter, Ayomiotan, spoke with me on phone that they went through the desert and not by flight as they were promised.

“I don’t have N1.2 million to send to them to free my daughter. (Ekiti State) Government should return my daughter to me with her pregnancy.

“She (daughter) is my only girl and my last born; I reported the case at the police station in Ikere. I want my daughter back because I don’t want her to die in slave camp.”

Another parent of Libya slavery from Ikere, Mrs. Bukola Bamise said she was shocked to learn that her daughter had been sold as a slave.

She said: “It was the deputy governor that said he wanted to use the four slots given to his ward to benefit our children but I was shocked to learn that they were camped somewhere and they had been sold as
slaves.”

The suspected trafficker, Ogundare, told reporters that she contacted the prophetess to help her find girls interested in jobs in Libya. He claimed he didn’t collect money from the victims.

Ogundare explained that his wife and younger sister are in Libya added that she told the prophetess to inform the girls’ parents of their destination.

He said: I didn’t collect One Naira from anybody, I have so far taken four persons to Libya while madam (prophetess) had taken nine persons to Libya.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Mr Julius Okoro, warned parents against allowing their children embark on questionable trips.

He said: “The girls were trafficked to Libya on the pretext that they were taking them to Dubai. Information reached their parents that they are suffering and they had been sold out in the slave camp in Libya.

“One of the girls trafficked to Libya is pregnant but was rejected by those buying them because of her pregnancy. We understand that they are suffering seriously in Libya.

“Our advice to parents is that they should be careful of those they entrust their children to. Let them be careful and be sure of the persons they are handing over their children to.”

http://meganews.com.ng/2018/01/04/ekiti-deputy-governor-trouble-fingered-libya-slavery-saga/

The director general, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, (NTDC), Mr. Folorunsho Coker left the country for an official assignment, while the workers embarked on a staged protest on November 29th, 2017.

The workers of the agency targeted his absence to stage a protest, just to embarrass his personality and the office he holds esteem to run the affairs of the NTDC.

Insiders, who do not want their names mentioned described the protest as hasty ,revealed that the same workers , who planned the move to oust him(Coker) , as the Director general of NTDC had similar action to Coker’s predecessors, Omotayo Omotosho and Sally Mbanefo.

It was revealed that the carrying of the placards that bore antagonistic messages in different dimensions, the NTDC workers dredged up all the charges used to paint their past bosses black against the new DG orchestrated a media campaign to blow it up .

Also, checks revealed that the workers usually adopt similar approach whenever the DG of the agency refuse to allow “business as usual”, which profits individuals but detrimental to the objectives of the corporation.

Further checks revealed that the workers usually adopt the “measure” when the DG refuses to dance to their tune. It is however, gathered that the Minister of Information, Mr. Lai Mohammed, who is in charge of the operations of the agency has intervened in the conflict.

He has allegedly directed the “protesting workers” to discontinue their protests and wait till the return of their boss for all the “allegations” to be discussed and resolved.

Also, source revealed despite the dark intentions of protest against the new DG, which was hastily packaged while he was away, it has suddenly assumed a life of its own and taking on a larger than life image.

According to the source, “It’s like someone or some people have taken interest in the affair and fueling it. It looks more like a campaign than just public interest reports.

The source revealed that the reports of the protest were rapidly gaining attraction meant to slant and embarrass Coker.

They added that the endgame of this attempt was to embarrass the DG by latching on the “workers protest” and “skewing” it in manners that paint him in deep and dark shades.
http://meganews.com.ng/2017/12/02/ndtc-boss-mr-folorunsho-coker-accused-wrongly/