E-Financial
Interswitch System Glitch: Court Orders Freezing of Accounts in 54 Banks

Justice Peter Lifu (JP) of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has granted an order freezing some accounts in about 54 financial institutions in the country where alleged funds from Interswitch accounts were moved to various accounts domiciled in the named banks.
Some of the banks affected by the freezing order are Access Bank PLC, GTBank PLC, First Bank of Nigeria, Fidelity Bank PLC, Globus Bank, Providus Bank, Keystone Bank, FCMB, Sterling Bank, SunTrust Bank, Ecobank, among other financial institutions in the country.
The freezing order was sequel to an ex-parte application filed by Mr E.A Okorie, counsel to Interswitch Nigeria Limited, seeking the order of court directing the banks and other financial institutions to freeze, place a lien or post no debit on some accounts domiciled in these institutions.
The plaintiff, Interswitch, is seeking the freezing order so as to prevent the dissipation of a huge amount of money that was illegally moved from its account into various accounts in the different financial institutions due to a glitch in its server.
In particular, the applicant is seeking the order of the court freezing the accounts of EARTHOLEUM NETWORKS LIMITED to the extent of the sums illegally received following the system glitch in the Plaintiffs server into the accounts of the 8th defendant, EARTHOLEUM NETWORKS LIMITED.
The plaintiff prayed the court for an order of Interim Mareva Injunction mandating all the defendants to comply with the Central Bank Guidelines No. BPS/DIR/GEN/CIR/02/004 of 2015 and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Regulatory Framework for Banking Verification (BVN) Operations and Watchlist for the Nigerian Banking Industry, October 2017 by blocking, freezing, placing a lien and/or placing a “Post No Debit” restriction on the affected accounts domiciled with the aforementioned banks and other financial institutions pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Interswitch Nigeria Limited further sought for an order of interim mareva injunction mandating the respondents to Freeze, place a Lien and Post No Debit on any and all accounts belonging to and in the name of the 8th Defendant EARTHOLEUM NETWORKS LIMITED to the extent of the sums illegally received (following the system glitch in the Plaintiffs server) into the said accounts pending the hearing of the substantive application.
The plaintiff also asked the court for an order directing the defendants to disclose on oath to the court within 7 days of service of the order of court, the amounts standing in credit in the respective accounts of the 1st to 54th Defendants’ customers accounts domiciled with them from 19th of October 2023 to date.
AN ORDER directing the respondents to disclose on cath to this honourable Court within 7 days of service of the order of court, the details of the amounts standing as credit balance in the respective beneficiaries accounts of the 1st, 9th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 41st and 48th defendants’ customers/Account holders listed in a document marked EXHIBIT C attached herewith and domiciled with the 1st, 9th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 41st and 48th defendants from the 9th of May 2022 to date.
After listening to tE. A. Okorie, the plaintiff counsel, Justice Peter Lifu (JP), trial Judge, granted an order mandating the defendants to comply with the Central Bank Guidelines No. BPS/DIR/GEN/CIR/02/004 of 2015 and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Regulatory Framework for Banking Verification (BVN) Operations and Watchlist for the Nigerian Banking Industry, October 2017 by blocking, freezing, placing a lien and/or placing a “Post No Debit” restriction on the affected accounts aforesaid to the extent of the sums illegally received (following the system glitch in the Plaintiffs server) into the respective Bank accounts of several customers who are listed in a document attached to the court papers marked ‘ Exhibits A’ pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The defendants in the suit are:
ACCESS BANK PLC, BAINES CREDIT MICROFINANCE BANK LTD, BANK OF INDUSTRY, BLURIDGE MICROFINANCE BANK, BRANCH INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL SERVICE, CREDIT DIRECT LIMITED, ECOBANK PLC, EARTHOLFUM NETWORKS, FAIRMONEY MICROFINANCE BANK, FEWCHORE FINANCE COMPANY LTD, FIDELITY BANK PLC, FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC, FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA LIMITED, GLOBUS BANK PLC, GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC, HASAL MICROFINANCE BANK LTD, HERITAGE BANK PLC, INFINITY TRUST MORTGAGE, IZON MICROFINANCE BANK LTD, JAIZ BANK PLC, KEYSTONE BANK PLC,
KUDA MICROFINANCE BANK LTD, DE -L.A FAYETTEE MICROFINANCE BANK LTD , L APO MICROFINANCE BANK, LINKS MICROFINANCE BANK, LOTUS BANK PLC, MIM FINANCE COMPANY LTD, NEW EDGE FINANCE, NIGERIAN NAVY MICROFINANCE BANK, NIRSAL MICROFINANCE BANK, OPAY DIGITAL SERVICES, PAGATECH LIMITED, PALMPAY LIMITED, PARALIEX BANK PLC, POLARIS BANK PLC, PROVIDES BANK PLC, Ceremony MICROFINANCE BANK LIMITED, ROLFZ MICROFINANCE BANK LIMITED, SMART CASH PAYMENT SERVICES BANK LIMITED, SPARKLE MICROFINANCE BANK LIMITED, STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC, STANDARD CHARTERED BANK PLC, STERLING BANK PLC, SUNTRUST BANK PLC, TAJ BANK LIMITED, TANGERINE MONEY MICROFINANCE BANK, TOL CHIGOLD MICROFINANCE BANK LTD, UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC, UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC, UNITY BANK PLC , VALE FINANCE LIMITED , VFD MICROFINANCE BANK , WEMA BANK PLC and ZENITH BANK PLC.
E-Financial
SEC Alerts Public on Silverkuun, Trending Dubious Investment Schemes

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned the public against investing in unregistered investment schemes, including Silverkuun Investment Cooperative Society/Silverkuun Limited.
In a circular issued in Abuja, yesterday, the commission said its attention had been drawn to the activities of these entities, which falsely present themselves as investment advisers and fund managers in the Nigerian capital market.
“The attention of the Securities and Exchange Commission has been drawn to the activities of Silverkuun Investment Cooperative Society/Silverkuun Limited which holds itself out as an Investment Adviser/Fund Manager.
“The Commission hereby informs the public that Silverkuun Investment Cooperative Society/Silverkuun Limited is not registered to operate in any capacity in the Nigerian Capital Market.”
SEC advised the public to refrain from engaging with Silverkuun Investment Cooperative Society/Silverkuun Limited or its representatives in respect of any business in the Nigerian capital market.
“The Commission uses this medium to reiterate that transacting in the Nigerian Capital Market with unregistered and unregulated entities exposes investors to financial risk including fraud and potential loss of investment.
“The investing public is therefore reminded to verify the status of companies and entities offering investment opportunities on the Commission’s portal before transacting with them,” the SEC added.
Dr. Emomotimi Agama, director-general of the SEC, recently warned that the Commission would not hesitate to shut down the operations of such unregistered entities while also ensuring that the promoters are made to face the full weight of the law.
Agama said, “we will shut down their operations and the promoters will be made to face the full weight of the law.
“In a major reform, ISA 2025 officially brings digital assets under the SEC’s regulatory purview, defining them as securities and mandating registration for all virtual asset service providers (VASPs) and digital asset exchanges. This development aims to close the regulatory vacuum that has allowed many Ponzi-style platforms to thrive under the guise of cryptocurrency and digital finance.”
Agama also emphasized the Commission’s education-focused strategy to combat fraud through podcasts, digital campaigns, and the introduction of capital market literacy in schools and universities, the SEC aims to equip Nigerians with the knowledge to detect and avoid dubious investments.
E-Financial
Africa Cross-border Payments Set to Hit $1 trillion by 2035

Africa’s cross-border payments market is on track to hit $1 trillion by 2035, according to a new report by venture capital firm Oui Capital. Titled “Africa’s Cross-Border Payment Landscape—a deep dive into the systems, players, and shifts shaping Africa’s cross-border payment flows,” the report states that the market is currently valued at $329 billion and growing at a compound annual growth rate of 12%.
It identifies Africa’s booming digital adoption, increasing intra-African trade, and a surge in mobile money usage as the key growth drivers.
Despite the impressive growth, the report highlights systemic inefficiencies.
“Legacy rails, double currency conversions, and fragmented regulations still siphon billions in hidden costs,” Oui Capital states, noting that the continent continues to have the highest global remittance costs, averaging 7–8%.
However, digital innovation is helping reshape the landscape. Mobile money is now a key channel, with 30% of Sub-Saharan remittances flowing through mobile wallets.
In 2022, Africa accounted for 66% of global mobile money transaction value, demonstrating the rapid formalisation of what was once a predominantly informal cash ecosystem.
Oui Capital sees significant investment potential in addressing these inefficiencies. “Infrastructure plays—interoperable API layers, decentralised FX liquidity pools, and PAPSS integrations—represent $10 billion-plus opportunities,” the report says.
The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System is one such initiative pushing for local currency settlements and reduced reliance on USD/EUR clearing, which presently adds around $5 billion in annual costs.
According to the report, cryptocurrencies and Stablecoins are emerging as promising alternatives, cutting remittance costs by up to 60% in markets with clear regulations.
“Fintech APIs are already pushing fees as low as 1.5–3%,” the report notes.
Still, the venture capital firm warns that challenges persist as only 55% of African jurisdictions allow full electronic KYC, limiting the scalability of fintech solutions.
The report urges founders to go beyond peer-to-peer transfers by embedding services like lending and insurance.
“Africa’s payments race is now a scale game. Those that solve for liquidity, compliance and cost will define the continent’s digital trade backbone over the next decade,” it concludes.
E-Financial
SANEF, CIBN Partner to Expand Agency Banking Certification

Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria has expanded its Agency Banking Certification Programme through a tripartite collaboration between the Institute, FIC, and SANEF Limited.
This partnership according Prof. Pius Deji Olanrewaju, President/Chairman of Council the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN, is timely and strategic, “as we aim to broaden the reach of the certification across Nigeria’s agent banking sector. With SANEF’s deep integration in the financial inclusion ecosystem and established relationships with leading super agents, we are confident that this collaboration will strengthen the quality and visibility of the programme.
“The goal is clear, to enhance professionalism among agent bankers, support the national financial inclusion strategy, and contribute to building trust and integrity within this growing segment of the financial services sector. This collaboration presents an excellent opportunity for further implementation of the competency framework for the banking industry in Nigeria”.
He noted that the collaboration among others is part of his LEGACY agenda which highlights the multifaceted role of financial institutions in shaping Nigeria’s economic future.
The letter C in the LEGACY agenda refers to Competence in the banking and Finance industry, which is a very crucial factor in the banking and finance sector. Competent individuals in this industry are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively manage financial resources. Individuals with expertise in this field can contribute to the growth and stability of the economy.
Mrs. Uche Uzoebo, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Shared Agency Network Expansion Facilities, SANEF, described the memorandum of Understanding, MoU, as a visionary partnership that seeks to expand Financial Inclusion through Agent banking training, Financial Literacy and knowledge impartation, an objective that forms a key pivot of what SANEF represents.
“Over the years, SANEF, in strong collaboration with our key stakeholders, Banks and Licenced Super-Agents/Mobile Money Operators and other Financial Service Providers, have continued to deepen the frontiers of Financial Inclusion and agent bank. Financial Literacy and training have remained a key part of this objective.
“This MOU ceremony is a fulfillment of a shared vision through the expansion of Agent Banking, Financial Literacy, capacity building, thought leadership, training and competency.
She further explained that the agreement provides a training structure with well-curated and knowledge filled training modules and materials that will deepen the knowledge and capacity in agent banking.
“It will go ahead to deepen and expand the knowledge and capacity of all participants that will take part in this training and we believe that with the quality and cooperation of all parties present, this very important objective of impartation of knowledge and thought leadership, grooming and training minds to be empowered and learned and contributing our quota to nation building and be a better place,” she added.
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