Operatives of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have arrested the regional and service managers of Sterling Bank, Abuja, for allegedly hoarding a sum of N258 million.
The anti-corruption commission said the discovery followed one of its operations at ensuring that commercial banks and other interest groups do not flout directives by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
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“When the ICPC monitoring team visited the bank and discovered the stashed new Naira notes in the bank’s vault it was informed that the cash was the remnant of what the CBN had given the bank for onward distribution to its branches,” the agency tweeted, explaining that the team found out that only N5 million each were distributed to their various branches.
The commission noted that the arrested senior staff were later granted administrative bail while investigation continues.
Similarly, ICPC said it also arrested the Head of Operations, Keystone Bank, Mararaba in Nasarawa State for frustrating customers who wanted to get the new notes.
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It said its team while on routine operation, found out that the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) at the branch were not dispensing to its customers, while other bank customers were accessing only N1,000.
“It was only after the arrest was made and clarification received from CBN that the position of the officers of the Bank was not correct, that the ATMs started dispensing Five Thousand Naira to non-customers and Ten Thousand Naira to its customers,” it added.
