EFCC says the department of the financial institution in Abuja refused to load its Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) regardless of having N29 million of the redesigned Naira notes in its vaults.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arrested the operations supervisor of a department of an unnamed business financial institution in Abuja for allegedly hoarding N29 million of the brand new naira notes.
EFCC’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, mentioned in a observation that the financial institution refused to load its Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) regardless of having N29 million of the redesigned Naira notes within the department’s vaults.
The fee mentioned it took the financial institution reputable, whose identify used to be additionally now not given, into custody for additional wondering. It mentioned its operatives additionally ordered the financial institution to load the cash within the ATMs and make fee to consumers over-the-counter.
The EFCC described the incident as a sabotage of the federal government’s financial coverage by means of some banks.
“Before he used to be whisked away for additional wondering, the operatives ordered the loading of the entire ATMs and the fee of the stipulated quantity around the counter to the pride of the distraught consumers who had spent hours on queues with out getting the brand new notes.
“This discovery, which indicates a sabotage of the government’s monetary policy by some banks, was made by the EFCC in continuation of the ongoing surveillance and visit to banks across the country to access their vaults and verify whether they were deliberately refusing to dispense the redesigned Naira notes. More than five bank branches were covered today by the operatives in Abuja. Similar exercises were ongoing in Zonal Commands across the country,” the fee’s observation learn partially.
The arrest got here two days after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) mentioned it arrested two financial institution officers Osun State, for refusing to load its ATMs with money.
The EFCC additionally in its observation, vowed to proceed its operation “till normalcy is restored to the banking gadget.
“Nigerians finding it difficult to access their funds at any bank and suspects foul play should contact the commission, for immediate intervention.”
Background
In contemporary weeks, Nigerians had been dashing to satisfy the CBN cut-off date for the phase-out of the outdated N200, N500, and N1,000 notes.
The new coverage has created chaos with many Nigerians having to bear hours of queuing at Automated Teller Machines (ATM) issues. Others have additionally needed to pay exorbitant fees for withdrawals via Point of Sale (POS) centres.
As a end result of the continuing hardship skilled by means of many Nigerians, the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefile, had prolonged the sooner cut-off date of 31 January, by means of 10 days up till 10 February..
On Friday, President Muhammadu Buhari additionally steered electorate to provide him seven days to unravel the money crunch that has develop into an issue around the nation from the coverage of the CBN to modify top price Naira notes with new ones.
He mentioned this after the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors visited him on the Presidential Villa to hunt answers to the money crunch which has plunged many Nigerians into hardship.
Author: Premium Times
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