New Naira Notes: ICPC Nabs FCMB Bank Manager After Banks Failed To Unwrap New Naira Cash

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has reportedly busted FCMB in Osogbo, Osun State capital, where some Automated Teller Machine were discovered to have been loaded with cash but their wrappers un-removed.

The un-removed wrappers prevented the cash from being dispensed to banking customers who were clamouring amidst scarcity of cash.

The ICPC Compliance Team was said to have initially directed that the wrappers be removed, and the cash appropriately loaded.

However, during the team's follow-up visit the following day to ascertain the level of compliance, the Team discovered that one of the ATMs was still loaded with the wrappers un-removed.

Consequently, the Operation Manager of the Bank was arrested and taken in for questioning.

The Nigerian Voice had earlier reported that the ICPC also arrested the Branch Service Head of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Deidei Branch, Abuja and the Operation Manager of FCMB for alleged sabotage.

The anti-graft agency noted that the arrest was in continuation of the Commission’s clampdown at persons frustrating efforts in making the redesigned Naira notes available to members of the public.

The bank official, who is the Branch Service Head of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Deidei Branch, Abuja, was taken into custody for her deliberate refusal to upload cash into the branch’s Automated Teller Machines (ATM) even when the cash was available, and people were queuing at the ATMs.

Similarly, seven Point of Sale (POS) operators and a security guard were arrested during the ongoing exercise in Osun State for charging exorbitant commissions for cash.

According to the commission, the operators got the money from Filling Stations that collect new notes from fuel buyers, but they then resell the cash to the public at exorbitant rates.

The arrested persons were said to be helping the Commission with information to assist investigations and bust any syndicates involved in the hoarding or sales of the redesigned notes.