EFCC storms Standard Chartered bank, lender describes visit as baseless

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday, stormed the headquarters of Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited, a development that created panic among passers-by and fuelled speculations.

An eyewitness, who would only want to be known as Richy, told The Guardian that the operatives, about 20 in number, came in a white coaster bus to the Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, head office of the bank.

He said the operative may have come for the arrest of the Managing Director, Mrs. Bola Adesola, following the bank’s indictment in the ongoing saga involving alleged illegal transfer of $8.13 billion by a telecommunications firm.

But the bank, in a quick response, described the visit as lacking “basis,” an indication that neither arrest nor cogent reason was advanced by the operatives.

“We can confirm that law enforcement officials entered our head office building on September 14, 2018 (yesterday).

We are clear there was no basis for this entry and the law enforcement officials left the building shortly afterwards,” the bank said in a statement.

Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited had last Monday, barely two weeks after reports by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) indicted it of said transfers, with a fine of N2.47 billion, declared its innocence and showed readiness to contest the findings.

The lender described the apex bank’s indictment as “purported infractions,” saying it has sent a detailed and comprehensive response, where it refuted all allegations of wrongdoing.

It, however, admitted that some of the transactions in question dated back to 2001, particularly foreign currency remittances, but insisted they were backed by Certificates of Capital Importation (CCIs) issued in favour of their client.

“As in all countries where the bank operates, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited remains committed to ensuring that all its processes and procedures adhere to the highest levels of corporate governance, controls and compliance with applicable laws of the jurisdiction.

“I would like to reiterate to our stakeholders that in Nigeria, as in all countries where Standard Chartered operates, we conduct and remain committed to carrying on our business in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.