The Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) has promised to investigate the raid on the head office of
Standard Chartered Bank in Lagos, saying the officers involved would be
“subjected to internal disciplinary measures”.
Wilson Uwujaren, spokesman of the
agency, disclosed this in a statement issued hours after the raid.
Some officials of the anti-graft
agency stormed the bank on Friday but Uwujaren said those behind the operation
acted without permission.
“Following repeated media
inquiries regarding a purported raid on the head office of the Standard
Chartered Bank today September 14, by Operatives of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Commission is constrained to state that there was
no raid on the bank by its officers,” he said in a statement.
“The raid by operatives
purportedly wearing the jackets of the Commission might have been the handiwork
of errant officers who acted without authorization.
“The action is in flagrant
violation of the standard operation procedures of the Commission as it is not
the style of the EFCC to openly raid the offices of banks and other financial
institutions.
“Officials of such institutions
who are wanted by the commission, are usually invited for questioning after
discreet investigation. Over the years, banks have been cooperative in
releasing their officers to the Commission for questioning.
“The Commission will investigate
the circumstances leading to this illegal raid by errant officers and those
found culpable would be subjected to the internal disciplinary mechanism of the
Commission.
“EFCC again reassures Nigerians
that it is an agency which adheres strictly to the rule of law and will, as
much as possible, avoid draconian measures in its fight against corruption.”
Uwujaren had earlier said that
reports that Bola Adesola, managing director of the bank, was arrested were
untrue.
The incident comes less than two
weeks after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) indicted Standard Chartered
alongside three other banks for allegedly issuing irregular certificates of
capital importation (CCIs) on behalf of some offshore investors of MTN Nigeria
Communications Limited.
The bank received the highest
fine of N2.4 billion but it defended its action, insisting that no offence was
committed.
Dayo Aderugbo, head, corporate
affairs, brand and marketing, Standard Chartered Bank, said the institution did
not enter into any illegal deal with MTN.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com