By Nse Anthony-Uko
ABUJA, (Sundiata Post) – Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) on Thursday said it would continue to report any untoward and criminal activity to law enforcement agencies, thus inadvertently admitting it was responsible for the arrest of businessman Innocent Chukwuma by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The bank, in a notice sent to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), said it would however not comment on a case already under investigation by the appropriate authorities.
The notice to the stock exchange is against the backdrop of the controversy involving the bank and Chief Executive Officer of Innoson Motors, Innocent Chukwuma.
Mr. Chukwuma was arrested on Tuesday morning at his residence in Enugu by officers of the EFCC who remanded him at their field office in the city. He was later released on bail on Wednesday evening. In its notice to the stock exchange, signed by the company secretary, Erhi Obebeduo, the bank urged Nigerians to ignore all sorts of innuendoes being purportedly spread across the social media against the bank.
“The bank would however not be deterred from pursuing appropriate actions either in respect of its delinquent loans or reporting any untoward/criminal activity for investigations by the appropriate authorities.
“The Bank as a custodian of depositors’ funds views its obligation to depositors with a high sense of responsibility and would jealously protect such funds and take appropriate steps to recover debts from any recalcitrant debtor,” the notice said.