FirstBank of Nigeria Limited has dismissed reports in some media outlets that its managing director, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, and other officials were facing forgery charges.
Some online media outlets had reported that the federal government filed charges against Adeduntan, the Utako, Abuja, branch manager of bank, and two lawyers, Muftau Ande and Dibiaezue Chuks before a federal high court in Abuja, for allegedly forging a “tripartite legal mortgage without the consent of the proprietor of Whiteplain British School, Mr Francis Chukwumah Nwufor, with intent to commit fraud.
However, dismissing the claim in a statement on Thursday, the bank dismissed it as a “spurious allegation made by a delinquent debtor with the intention of embarrassing the bank and tainting the bank’s loan recovery efforts and legal enforcement of its security collateral interest in accordance with the terms thereof.”
The banks said in the statement: “Our attention has been drawn to a sponsored sensational report by some online publications on a charge brought against the Bank.
“While we will not be able to offer further comments as the matter is sub-judice, suffice it to say that the basis of the charge is a spurious allegation made by a delinquent debtor with the intention of embarrassing the Bank and tainting the Bank’s loan recovery efforts and legal enforcement of its security collateral interest in accordance with the terms thereof.
“We wish to assure our numerous customers, stakeholders and the general public that FirstBank operates by the highest standards of ethical conduct and will under no circumstances involve itself in any act of illegality just as it will take necessary legal steps to check any attempt by recalcitrant debtors to fritter away depositors’ funds under its custody. Furthermore, FirstBank remains focused on its mission of providing the best financial services to its numerous customers.”
