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First Bank Spends N15Bn to Guard Systems against Hackers in 5 Months –CEO

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First Bank HoldCo Plc has disclosed that it spent over ₦15 billion to protect its banking systems from cyberattacks between January and June this year, as digital threats to financial institutions continue to rise across Nigeria.

First Bank Spends N15Bn to Guard Systems against Hackers in 5 Months –CEO

Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, CEO, First Bank

Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, chief executive officer of the bank, revealed this on Wednesday while speaking on the sidelines of a two-day National Seminar on Banking and Allied Matters for Judges, held in Abuja.

Alebiosu said the bank invested ₦3 billion in cybersecurity measures in June alone, part of a broader commitment to safeguarding customer assets and maintaining trust in Nigeria’s banking system.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the CEO said the bank had the most robust cybersecurity framework in the country, which justified the substantial investment.

Speaking on the rising wave of cyberattacks targeting banking systems, Alebiosu assured First Bank customers that their funds remained secure.

He also expressed concern over the growing involvement of some Nigerians in cybercrime, stressing the urgent need for the country to tackle the menace decisively.

He said, “No customer would lose their money in First Bank unjustly. If their money is missing from First Bank, First Bank will pay it back. Before I joined First Bank, I had an account with First Bank. One of the reasons why I had an account with First Bank was that I said to myself, if my money is missing, it is the only bank I know I will collect my money back without any excuses.”

Responding to customers’ complaints about delays in addressing cases of fraudulent transactions, Alebiosu explained that the bank must carry out thorough investigations involving multiple stakeholders.

He said the delays often stem from the need for collaboration between security agencies and the recipient banks to ascertain the facts surrounding each case thoroughly.

Alebiosu also advised customers to be cautious when handling and sharing their financial information.

“Customers themselves, most times, also compromise their own security details; I have seen a lot of people that give their cards to somebody to help them withdraw money from their ATM. They compromised their password, so when something happens and you say, my money disappeared, you forget the day you gave your card to someone else and they can use that to transfer your money,” he said.

“Some people even compromise their own ID on the system carelessly; some give their Bank Verification Number (BVN), and they use it against them.”

“Now, why does it take time for the bank to react? everything you give to the bank, the bank has to investigate it. The money might have gone to other banks, so you start tracking from other banks, but sometimes customers are impatient,” he said.

Regarding alleged fraud committed by staff, he stated that the bank uses internal employee fraud detection software to monitor staff activities on its systems.

He added. “If you knew how many of our staff we sack on a monthly basis, you wouldn’t believe it. So if there are triggers, people will be involved. It is for us to run faster than them and see how we can help to stop these kinds of things in our system but wherever we see it, we deal with it decisively.”

He stated that curbing cybercrimes requires the active involvement of various stakeholders, including banks, law enforcement agencies, and the judiciary.

 


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Ebere Melum-Nwogbo is a trained and practicing journalist. She is passionate about ICT and business journalism. She has over a decade experience spanning money and capital market as well as information technology

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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