First Bank has rejected the complaint made by the Federal Government against its institution, calling the claim an effort to damage its name.
According to reports, the managing director of the bank and three other people were charged by the FG with forgery-related offenses.
Together with the two attorneys Muftau Ande and Dibiaezue Chuks, the charge sheet, designated CR/266/2023, filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, also names the manager of First Bank’s Utako branch.
The five defendants were accused of forging a “tripartite legal mortgage without the approval of the proprietor of Whiteplain British School, Mr. Francis Chukwumah Nwufor, with purpose to commit fraud,” among other things, in the charge sheet submitted by the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The defendants were also charged with utilizing a counterfeit tripartite legal mortgage to dishonestly get rid of Nwufor’s property.
The bank responded on Thursday by claiming that the claims were sponsored by its critics.
First Bank added that the charge was based on a false allegation made by “a delinquent debtor” and that the matter is currently under court order.
The statement states that “our attention has been called to a sponsored sensational report by several internet outlets on a charge lodged against the Bank.”
While we are unable to comment further due to the ongoing legal proceedings, suffice it to say that the charge is based on an untrue allegation that a delinquent debtor made in an attempt to malign the Bank’s loan recovery efforts and undermine the legal enforcement of the Bank’s security collateral interest in accordance with the terms of that interest.
The bank gave its word that it would keep looking into all appropriate avenues for restitution.
In addition, FirstBank “will take necessary legal steps to check any attempt by recalcitrant debtors to fritter away depositors’ funds under its custody” and “we wish to assure our numerous customers, stakeholders, and the general public that FirstBank operates by the highest standards of ethical conduct,” the statement continued.
Additionally, First Bank keeps its attention on its goal of giving its many clients the greatest financial services.