First Bank dismisses forgery charge by FG, says ‘allegation spurious’

First Bank has dismissed the charge brought against it by the Federal Government, describing the allegation as an attempt to smear its reputation. The bank had earlier reported that the Federal Government charged its managing director and three others over allegations bordering on forgery. The charge sheet, marked CR/266/2023 before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, also includes two lawyers, Muftau Ande and Dibiaezue Chuks, as well as the Utako Branch Manager of First Bank, Abuja.

In the charge sheet filed by the Federal Ministry of Justice, the five defendants were accused, among other things, of forging a “tripartite legal mortgage without the consent of the proprietor of Whiteplain British School, Mr. Francis Chukwumah Nwufor, with intent to commit fraud.” They were also alleged to have dishonestly dispossessed Nwufor of his property using the forged mortgage.

Reacting in a statement on Thursday, the bank said the reports were sponsored by its detractors and that the matter is sub‑judice. It added that the basis of the charge is a false allegation made by “a delinquent debtor.” The statement read: “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 to embarrass the Bank and taint the Bank’s loan recovery efforts and legal enforcement of its security collateral interest in accordance with the terms thereof.”

The bank assured that it will continue to explore all legitimate channels to seek redress. “We wish to assure our numerous customers, stakeholders and the general public that First Bank 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,” the statement added. “Furthermore, First Bank remains focused on its mission of providing the best financial services to its numerous customers.”