A group operating under the aegis of Coalition of Civil Society for Good Governance in Nigeria, CCSGGIN on Tuesday protested to the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, demanding investigation of the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Bank,Segun Agbaje over alleged fraud and other financial infractions going on in the bank.
The Convener of the Coalition, Comrade Tijani Usman in his address to the Inspector General of Police, said, a wholesale corruption cannot be going on in the Guaranty Trust Bank and the Police authority would be looking the other way, particularly that attention of the Police had been drawn to certain infractions that put the bank and shareholders at a risk.
He said: “Today in history will be remembered as a day when corruption took another dimension to the extent that the Banking Sector which is supposed to drive the economy is now failing without much attention from the relevant Regulatory and Crime Fighting Agencies.
“The latest development is the ongoing infractions in Guaranty Trust Bank Limited (GTB), a subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc where Segun Agbaje presently holds sway as Group Chief Executive Officer. ‘
Penultimate week, CAPITAL POST had reported large scale corruption in Guaranty Trust Bank, including unsolicited accounts opening, declaration of fake profits to attract larger patronage, round tripping, money laundering, terrorism financial and use of customers/investors’ funds to pay penalties.
Meanwhile the Coalition stressed that the crime in question was within the ambit of police to conduct thorough investigation by quizzing GTB’s Agbaje, expressing the hope, such would happen anytime soon as Nigeria is not a pariah state.
The group noted further: “As a matter of fact, the weighty allegations levelled against GTB under the watchful eyes of Segun Agbaje ought to have opened room for further investigation and prosecution of the culprits involved. Unfortunately, this never happened till date for reasons unknown to us.
“Whilst we acknowledge the powers of the Nigeria Police Force under Section 4 of the Police Act 2020 and other extant laws to investigate crimes and prosecute offenders, we strongly feel that they must be used properly so that “the hunter does not become the hunted”.
“We are here this morning to insist that the Police should focus more on digging deep into the allegations hanging on the neck of Segun Agbaje with a view to bringing him and his co-travelers to book.
“Having said that, we call on the Central Bank of Nigeria, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and Department of State Services not to sit on the fence.
“All hands must be on deck to ensure that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu succeeds in his bid to revamp the ailing economy through the fight against corruption.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, let it be known to you all that GTB operations are failing in Nigeria. Just recently we witnessed how their payment channels were down for days all in the name of system upgrade.
“One can only imagine the huge losses recorded by GTB account holders and users all over the world within this period. We submit that the earlier its Management Team stop chasing shadows and redirect their energy towards saving the soul of the Bank, the better for the Nigerian economy.
“The amiable, gallant and performing Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun should note that the ripple effect of the damage being caused by GTB to the entire Nigerian economy will be devastating in the long run, unless something is done as a matter of urgency.
“In conclusion, we submit Segun Agbaje has loads of questions to answer on corruption, fraud and economic sabotage. He must not be allowed to benefit from his own wrongs and go scot-free, considering the overwhelming evidence available to prove that his present handling of GTB is not only fraudulent but illegal and detrimental to the interest of customers and investors.”
The group insisted that the Inspector General of Police conducts investigation of financial infraction in the GTB to save the bank from total collapse and loss of shares.
Meanwhile, CAPITAL POST could not reach the Corporate Communications Manager of GTB for response and known phone numbers were not connecting.
