E-Financial
Court Sets October Date in Suit against Zenith Bank over Alleged N6.4Bn Illegal Charges
Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court, Lagos, has fixed October 6, for adoption of final written addresses in a suit filed by Mr. Olushola Anthony Adejuyigbe, a Nigerian independent oil marketer, against Zenith Bank Plc.
Adejuyigbe alongside his company, Tonique Oil Services Limited, sometimes in 2018, dragged Zenith Bank Plc before the court over alleged illegal and excessive charges to the tune of N6,441,369,617.73.
Adejuyigbe and his company in the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1584/2012, through Mr. Lanre Ogunlesi (SAN), his lawyer, in his amended statement of claim filed before the court narrated that in the course of its business activities his company, Tonique Oil Services Limited obtained several credit facilities from Zenith Bank PLC while he pledged three of his properties as securities for the loan facilities.
Adejugbe also stated that three different transactions leadings to this litigation occurred in his company’s current account whereby excess and illegal interest and charges were discovered.
And that upon discovery of the said charges, the company demanded for a reversal but the bank bluntly refused.
He also stated that a forensic accounting firm was engaged to scrutinize and analyse his company’s account and it was then discovered that between August 2006 and December 2013, excess interest and charges on the company by Zenith Bank Plc as accumulated to the tune of N1,842,471,801.99.
Adejugbe further stated that by a letter dated February 19, 2008, Zenith Bank granted his Company commercial paper facility of N2,568,644,276.09, to finance the purchase of 30,000MT of Petroleum products, but N2,501,270 was credited into the company’s account.
He however stated that instead of Zenith Bank financing the purchase of the 30,000 MT of Petroleum products for the company as per letter of offer, Zenith Bank diverted the entire sum of N2,501,270 for the purchase of its own shares during the bank’s Initial Public Offer (IPO), a conduct the plaintiffs described as unethical, unprofessional and reprehensive.
He also added that out of the sum of N104,363,212.03 assessed as dividends payable on the bank’s shares only N42,173,498.43 million was credited into the company’s account leaving outstanding balance of N62,169,713.60.
He added that the bank’s shares purportedly bought by his Company with the facilities granted by Zenith bank were managed by the bank so much that the bank eventually liquidated the shares after the value has nose dived and depreciated.
He also stated that another activity on his Company’s current account with Zenith Bank, was the sale and purchase of a property in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, that belong to one of the shareholders/customers of the bank who needed to clean up some of his obligations to the bank.
And that it was the bank who introduce his company to the shareholders 50,000 square meters of land out of which the company bought 20,000 square meters for the purpose of expanding its business earnings.
He averred that to facilitate the purchase of the land, Zenith Bank offered the company a term loan of N500,000 and it was part of understanding of the company and the bank that after the purchase of the land, the bank will finance the company’s Tank farms to be built thereon.
He further stated that after the purchase of the land, Zenith Bank took possession of the title documents of the land as collateral while reneged on the promise and understanding to finance his Company’s tank farm on the land and since 2008 the land had been under the management of the bank and the same had been lying fallow.
In this circumstance, the plaintiffs contended that Tonique Oil Company is not indebted to Zenith Bank and any alleged indebtedness could only have been arisen as a result of the unconciousable and illegal acts of the bank’s officials in debiting the company’s account with astronomical and spurious interest charged.
Consequently, the plaintiffs contended that such interest charges are illegal and they contravened the Central Bank of Nigeria Monetary Credit and Foreign Exchange/Trade guidelines.
The plaintiffs financial consultant computed other charges that were passed into the account of the company, base on relevant policy circulars, guide to bank charges of Central bank of Nigeria and discovered that the bank excessively overcharged the company on interest on overdraft, COT, and VAT on COT, Management Fees, upcountry transfer fees, interest on commercial paper, foreign exchange purchases and letter of credits.
Consequently, the plaintiffs are contending that they are not indebted to the bank rather the bank has overcharged them to several billions of Naira.
Rather the plaintiffs urged the court to declare that Zenith Bank being a bank within the supervisions and control of CBN cannot charge interest on any facilities granted to them beyond the official approved policy rate of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
They are also urged the court not only to restrain Zenith Bank from selling their property pledged as securities for the loan but to also compel it to pay his company the sum of ₦6,441,369,617.73 billion, being the total excess charges debited into the company’s account by the bank and interest on the same amount at the rate of 21% per annum from the date of judgement of the court until final liquidation.
However, Zenith Bank in its statement of defence with statement on oath sworn to by Mr Vincent Ohanugo, senior assistant manager internal control and Audit Department of Zenith Bank, and filed by Mr. Ajibola Lawal-Akapo, its lawyers, and others, denied almost all the plaintiffs’ claims and stated that the company was granted several loans which include: ₦2.5 billion regular commercial paper; $36 million import finance facility; $6, 648 million commercial paper/usance facility; $9million import finance facility via usance facility and $11million short term import facility of ₦500 million.
The bank also stated that the plaintiffs authorised Zenith Registrar Plc to take steps to purchase the shares of the bank on is their behalf, while also pledged 3.5million and 17,154,300 units of the shares respectively in favour of the bank and authorised the bank to sell them to recoup part of the credit facilities the bank granted them, therefore the allegation of unethical conduct, lack of competence and professionalism against it by the plaintiffs was made out of malice, confusions and frustration on the part of the plaintiffs.
The Bank also stated further that it did not enter any understanding with the plaintiffs to finance the construction of tank farm for the company.
The plaintiffs assertion that they are no longer indebted to the bank is a bare denial and therefore challenges the plaintiffs to provide evidence of payment of all the credit facilities availed to them by the bank.
Zenith Bank also stated that the plaintiffs suit did not disclose any cause of actions against it, as the plaintiffs are still indebted to it in the sum of N8, 464, 176, 356.52 billion, as at January 31, 2013.
The Bank therefore urged the court to dismiss the suit for been frivolous and it amounts to abuse of court process.
Meanwhile, Justice Faji upon conclusion of arguments from both parties counsel, on June 28, 2021, adjourned the matter till October 6, for adoption of final written addresses.
E-Financial
NIMC, NIBSS, Others Roll out Digital Cards with Multiple Wallets
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Nigeria Interbank Settlement Systems (NIBSS), AfriGO and other stakeholders are set to roll out digital cards with multiple wallets to drive financial inclusion and improve Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The digital cards with multiple wallets would allow Nigerians to have access to government services in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government, while it would also provide platforms for students to access government loans.
Already, Nigerian farmers captured under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, (FMAFS) have embraced the digital cards for government services in areas of provision of agric loans, seedlings and other inputs that would improve food production and security.
According to Abisoye Coker-Odusote, director general/chief executive officer, NIMC, the biometric NIMC-enabled cards have multiple features to address the socio-economic needs of Nigerians in line with the 8 point Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
Coker-Odusote, who addressed newsmen at the headquarters of NIMC in Abuja on plans regarding the launch of the cards, was flanked by Mr Premier Oiwoh, managing director/CEO, NIBSS; Mrs Ebehije Momoh, managing director/CEO of AfriGO; and Mr Femi Akande, managing director, Data Mining Company.
She said the stakeholders were brought together to explain the different benefits associated with the digital cards to Nigerians and the general impact it would have on the economy as President Tinubu hoped to drive his welfare programmes using digital identity verification as a major platform.
The NIMC boss said the multiple purpose cards would be available to citizens, home and abroad and legitimate residents who could use the cards for various transactions, especially payments of water and electricity bills, transportation services, and shopping, among others.
The cards, she explained, could be used off line and online to provide services for unbanked citizens in rural areas and bring on board those whose businesses required government support for survival, noting that with such opportunities, Nigerians would need no god father to access government services and support.
Coker-Odusote said the digital cards which come with various security features cannot be forged as the biometric information of owners are embedded in them, emphasising that they were made to address current needs of government to ensure that there are no ghost beneficiaries of government palliatives, loans and other benefits.
She assured that the cards would turn around the economy by improving revenue generation and the country’s GDP as states governments and the private sectors would be part and parcel of it.
Speaking on behalf of other stakeholders, Momoh of AfriGO, said the launch of the cards would change the narratives for the country’s economy as it would ensure that the flow of money remained within the economy.
Momoh said: “The digital card is a domestic solution to drive financial inclusion and provide cost effectiveness and transparency within the systems. It would ensure data sovereignty and autonomy, and we all know that data is significant to improve our economy.
“This card will help reduce cost, especially dollar given to banks. Domestic payments are important to support welfare and social interventions services of government, so it will help drive cashless policy and ensure that our monies remain within the economy.
“We have about 26 banks already issuing the cards and it is hoped that more would come on board. Nigeria is the first country to come up with this innovation, and surely it would enhance micro-medium enterprises across the country.”
E-Financial
Wema Bank Targets N200bn in Final Tranche of Capital Raise
Wema Bank has announced plans to conclude its capital-raising efforts with a robust strategy combining a Rights Issue and a Special Placement exercise, both scheduled to commence on April 1, 2025.
The initiative aims to secure N200 billion in fresh capital, marking a significant milestone in the bank’s growth journey.
This marks the second and final tranche of Wema Bank’s comprehensive capital-raising exercise, following the successful first tranche, which generated N40 billion.
By securing this additional capital, the bank is poised to exceed the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) minimum capital requirement for national banking authorization, thereby solidifying its financial strength and positioning for sustained growth.
The move underscores Wema Bank’s commitment to maintaining robust financial health while enhancing its ability to deliver innovative banking solutions.
In its usual manner as a proactive, innovative and forward-thinking bank, Wema Bank, had prior to the CBN announcement, already launched a N40 billion rights issue as far back as December 2023, receiving the approval of the CBN and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2024.
This resulted in the Bank’s successful completion of the first tranche of its capital raise exercise. With over 30% of the CBN target of N200 billion already met, Wema Bank is proceeding to initiate the second tranche of capital raise come April 2025, this time, with the goal of raising N200 billion in fresh capital to complete its capital requirement.
Confident in the outcome of the upcoming rights issue, Wema Bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Moruf Oseni, assured shareholders and other stakeholders of a successful conclusion of the capital raise program.
According to him, “We stand strong today not just as Nigeria’s oldest indigenous bank but also as Nigeria’s leading innovative bank. Wema Bank turns 80 this year and I can safely tell you that we have never been more driven to excel.
I am blessed to lead with the support of a team of determined and driven professionals who will leave no stone unturned in achieving our strategic aspirations. Indeed, we are building Wema Bank into a formidable force in the African financial services landscape”.
“We remain dedicated to maintaining transparency throughout this process and will provide regular updates to all stakeholders and shareholders as we go forward. This capital raise will be a win-win for us all. You can trust as always that your investment in Wema Bank will produce exceeding returns. This is our promise to you”, Oseni concluded.
With the deadline for CBN’s recapitalisation exercise set for March 31, 2026, this move by Wema Bank will undoubtedly ensure the bank retains its national banking license way ahead of the deadline
Reaffirming its stance as a Bank committed to transparency and adherence to regulatory standards, Wema Bank is working to secure all necessary approvals from relevant regulatory authorities to ensure the process is conducted in full compliance with applicable guidelines.
E-Financial
CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso Forecasts Economic Growth and Lower Inflation in 2025
Olayemi Cardoso, Central Bank Governor, announced on January 23 that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is projected to grow by 4.17 percent, while inflation is expected to ease in 2025.
Currently, Nigeria’s inflation stands at 34.80 percent, but Cardoso is optimistic that it will decline as President Bola Tinubu’s reforms take effect.
Cardoso also mentioned that foreign exchange reserves have risen gradually, driven by increased oil production. Oil output is forecast to reach 2.3 million barrels per day by mid-year.
He pledged to increase Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves to over $40 billion after recording a $6 billion FX inflow in 2024.
The central bank’s priority remains maintaining price stability and bolstering market confidence. Cardoso emphasized the importance of enhancing transparency and efficiency within the foreign exchange market, expecting more appetite for real sector development with limited opportunities for FX arbitrage.
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