Suit against Access Bank chiefs adjourned

A Shagamu High Court in Ogun State has adjourned a criminal charge against Access Bank, its Managing Director Herbert Wigwes and others till June 18.

The court heard that parties have begun talks to settle out of court.

Alawode Oluseye, Bayo Adesina and the bank are the other defendants.

The Police charged them with 21 counts bordering on stealing, advance fee fraud and forgery of bill of lading.

Justice N. I. Agbelu adjourned for argument on jurisdiction, which he raised, and for out of court settlement report.

The judge ruled after listening to prosecuting counsel Daniel Apochi and defence counsel led by Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Paul Usoro (SAN).

One of the counts reads: “That you Hebert Wigwe, Bayo Adesina and Access Bank Plc on 22nd day of June, 2017, at the premises of Metal Africa Steel Products Limited, km 16, Ikordu/Sagamu Road, Ewe Jagun, Ohun State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired among yourselves to effect an unlawful purpose to wit: the unlawful and unauthorized sale of 23, 754, 413 metric tones of steel billets, property of BMCE Bank International Plc, without its permission or consent.”

The defendants were also accused of obtaining money by false pretences contrary to Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences of Act Number 14 of 2006.

A former petroleum minister Chief Don Etiebet is challenging the merger of Access Bank and Diamond Bank on the basis that Access Bank did not disclose pending cases against it to regulatory authorities.

He contended that disclosing the cases would have resulted in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) withholding approval for the merger.