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UBA Group Appoints Mary Mulili, Mohamed Alhajie Samoura as MD/CEO in Kenya, Sierra Leone

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United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc , Africa’s Global Bank,  has announced the appointments of Ms. Mary Mulili and Mr Mohamed Alhajie Samoura, as the new Managing Directors/Chief Executive Officers of its subsidiaries in Kenya and Sierra Leone respectively.

UBA Group Appoints Mary Mulili, Mohamed Alhajie Samoura as MD/CEO in Kenya, Sierra Leone

Mary Mulili, MD/CEO, UBA, Kenya

Ms. Mulili’s appointment marks a significant milestone for UBA Kenya, as it coincides with the subsidiary’s 15th anniversary of operation and being the first female MD/CEO of UBA Kenya, her selection exemplifies the bank’s commitment to gender diversity and inclusivity in leadership roles.

Mulili, a Kenyan, boasts of experience in the corporate, commercial, public, institutional banking, SME, retail, and digital banking sectors with an extensive career spanning over two decades in the banking sector.

She served as Executive Director for UBA Kenya and pivotal executive and senior roles in other commercial banks with her expertise, and leadership, delivering comprehensive business advisory services and innovative solutions.

Speaking on her selection, Mr. Alphan Njeru,  Board Chairman, UBA Kenya, disclosed that the Mulili’s appointment – which took effect last month subject to regulatory approval – comes at a crucial juncture for the subsidiary, as it is focused on accelerating growth through regional trade opportunities, digital innovation, and SME financing, aligning with the broader vision of sustainable banking.

Responding, Mulili expressed her gratitude for the opportunity towards steering UBA Kenya’s strategic vision, leveraging the UBA Group’s extensive network across 20 African countries and globally. She expressed her commitment to provide tailored financial solutions, emphasizing UBA’s dedication as a financial partner of growth for all stakeholders.

Mohamed Alhajie Samoura, MD/CEO, UBA, Sierra Leone

On his part, Mr. Mohamed Alhajie Samoura whose appointment as MD/CEO took effect last month, has received relevant approval from the Central Bank of Sierra Leone.

Thus, he becomes the first Sierra Leonean to hold this position since the bank’s inception in 2008, emphasising UBA’s commitment to empowering local talent and promoting human capital development.

Over the years, Samoura has garnered accolades, as he is frequently named among the 100 Most Outstanding Executives in Sierra Leone. His wealth of experience and understanding of the country’s corporate and institutional banking landscape positions him well for his role.

His appointment aligns with UBA Group’s strategic focus on localizing governance, products, and services to meet host economy requirements. UBA Sierra Leone, under his leadership, aims to be the leading financial institution in the country, with a current customer base exceeding 400,000.

Commenting on both appointments, Oliver Alawuba, UBA’s Group Managing Director/CEO, said the strategic appointments underscore the bank’s commitment towards fostering diversity, empowering local talent, and driving growth across its African operations.

He took time to appreciate the outgoing MD/CEOs of Kenya and Sierra Leone, for their immense contribution to the UBA Group over the past few years.

United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees’ group wide and serving over 35 million customers globally.

Operating in 20 African countries and in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology.


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E-Financial

Ecobank Nigeria to Fully Repay $300m Eurobond Ahead of Schedule

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Ecobank Nigeria has moved to retire the remaining part of its $300 million Eurobond before maturity. The bank has launched a tender offer for holders of its 7.125% senior notes due February 2026.

The bank announced the offer on Friday, 28 November 2025, inviting investors to tender their holdings ahead of schedule. Of the original $300 million issuance, $150 million remains outstanding.

Under the terms, investors whose notes are accepted for repurchase will receive $1,000 for every $1,000 in principal, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the settlement date. The transaction is expected to be completed on or before 31 December 2025.

Ecobank said the early repayment move is part of a broader strategy to optimise its balance sheet and strengthen capital planning flexibility. The lender added that the tender offer gives investors an opportunity to exit the instrument ahead of the original February 2026 maturity.

In a statement, the bank said the initiative underscores its “commitment to transparent engagement with funding partners and investors,” stressing that the offer supports its long-term goal of maintaining a well-structured debt profile.

Participation in the programme is voluntary, and investors will make decisions based on their individual considerations, the bank added.

Ecobank emphasised that the announcement is for information only and does not constitute an offer to buy or sell securities. Eligible noteholders are expected to rely on the formal tender documents when deciding whether to take part.

 


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Reps Give Banks Four-Day Ultimatum on Tax Deductions, Charges

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The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating deductions of taxes and sundry charges from the earnings of civil and public servants has given commercial banks a four-day deadline to submit all requested documents.

Reps Give Banks Four-Day Ultimatum on Tax Deductions, Charges

House of Rep

The committee, chaired by Hon. Kelechi Nwogwu, issued the ultimatum at the commencement of its investigation, following a motion earlier moved by the House Chief Whip, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, on alleged deductions from civil servants’ salaries.

Nwogwu insisted that Chief Executive Officers of affected financial institutions must appear in person before the panel, rejecting representatives sent by GT Bank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank and other banks.

He explained that the panel was mandated to ensure that all deductions of charges by banks on customers’ accounts were fair and properly applied.

The committee disclosed that invitations had also been extended to the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and all commercial banks operating in Nigeria.

“You cannot appear here without an identity. We are here on the mandate of the people who elected us into parliament. We have resolved to meet next week on Wednesday.

“You must submit all requested documents by Monday, May 1,” Nwogwu said.

He warned that any bank that failed to comply with the deadline would face sanctions, adding that the committee would put the CEOs on oath during the next sitting.

The investigation continues next week.


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SEC Urges IST to Freeze all CBEX Bank Accounts in Nigeria

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The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has asked the Investments and Securities Tribunal (IST) to order the freezing of all bank accounts belonging to Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) and other defendants held in commercial banks and financial institutions across Nigeria.

The request was made in Suit No. IST/OA/02/2025: Securities and Exchange Commission & Anor v. Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) & 25 Others, the first case before the 6th Tribunal presided over by Hon. Aminu Jinaidu, Chairman of the IST.

SEC also urged the Tribunal to seize houses and other assets allegedly acquired by the defendants using proceeds obtained from the public through the CBEX investment scheme, which it said falsely operated as a digital assets platform and capital-market operator.

The Commission argued that CBEX, which is not registered with SEC, unlawfully promised investors a 100 percent return on investment within 30 days—conduct it said is in violation of Section 3(b) of the Investments and Securities Act, 2025.

SEC further disclosed that the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong had, on April 23, 2024, issued an advisory warning against CBEX, describing it as a suspicious virtual-asset entity. According to the advisory, CBEX adopted a name resembling that of a Chinese property-rights trading organisation to give investors false assurance, despite having no connection with the legitimate entity.

At Tuesday’s sitting, the Tribunal ordered that hearing notices be served on the defendants through national newspapers, as CBEX failed to appear and was not represented in court.

CBEX launched in Nigeria in July 2024, operating through a website and mobile app. It claimed to use advanced artificial intelligence to generate unusually high profits from cryptocurrency trading, promising returns of up to 100 percent within a 40- to 45-day lock-in period. The scheme later collapsed and was exposed as a Ponzi operation that reportedly defrauded investors of more than N1.3 trillion (about $800 million).

Hon. Jinaidu also presided over several other matters on the tribunal’s docket, including Benue Investments Property Co. Ltd & Anor v. Securities and Exchange Commission & 6 Others; Maven Asset Management Ltd v. Securities and Exchange Commission; John Makinde Onade & Anor v. First Registrars & Investors Services Ltd & Anor; and Securities and Exchange Commission & Anor v. Tourist Company of Nigeria PLC & 6 Ors. All the cases were adjourned to January 27, 2026.

 


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