E-Financial
CBN Says Savannah Bank Depositors Will Soon Get Their Funds

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said it is making efforts to ensure that depositors of the Savannah Bank get their hanging fund.’
The apex bank also said that it is working to ensure that issues surrounding the prolonged closure of the lender are resolved.
Mr. Tajudeen Ahmed, acting director, Consumer Protection Department, at the CBN, gave this assurance while addressing bank customers at the “3rd Biennial Bank Customers Summit” organised by the Bank Customers Association of Nigeria (BCAN) in Lagos yesterday.
He disclosed that the apex bank had lately been strategizing on how to resolve the impasse that has prevented Savannah bank from reopening for operations since regaining its operational license over nine years ago, adding that there would be a positive development on the issue in the not too distant future.
Earlier, in his remarks, Dr. Uju Ogubunka, president, BCAN, , had called on the apex bank to urgently come to the aid of Savannah Bank depositors who had been passing through very difficult times since the bank was shut down over 17 years ago.
He said: “Savannah Bank is holding large deposit of our members. Many of the people that owned accounts have died and their children are suffering. We call on the CBN to do what it can to resolve the situation. We also call on the President, the National Assembly and the judiciary to resolve the Savannah Bank issue.” Savannah Bank’s license was revoked by the CBN in February 2002 and immediately liquidated by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC). The CBN Governor, at the time, Joseph Oladele Sanusi, said the lender was axed for not having enough assets to meet liabilities and did not comply with CBN obligations, adding that the regulators had been unable to prevent further deterioration, which caused anomaly in the depositor’s funds.
Emefiele, Gov, CBN
At the time of its forcible closure, Savannah Bank had nearly 85,000 shareholders, a share capital of N1 billion, and 118 branches. Its depositors were in hundreds of thousands. In 2009, the promoters of the bank won their court case against the regulators and Savannah Bank’s license was restored by the CBN.
However, despite promises by the promoters that the bank will reopen for operations, it is yet to do so. Indeed, the promoters have reportedly gone back to the courts to seek for certain reliefs against the CBN and the NDIC.
At a recent event, Mr. Boniface Okezie, president, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN), said the issue of Savannah Bank is political, and that the Federal Government should ensure that the bank re-opens for operation.
Okezie explained that Savannah Bank and Heritage Bank, which was former Societe Generale Bank were in the same league of troubled banks. “If Societe Generale Bank could be rescued by the Federal Government, Savannah Bank, which had no major problem could also be treated same.”
E-Financial
Ecobank Nigeria to Fully Repay $300m Eurobond Ahead of Schedule

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

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.

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.
E-Financial
SEC Urges IST to Freeze all CBEX Bank Accounts in Nigeria

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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