E-Financial
The Hurried Return of Nigeria’s Overnight Millionaires

By Shile Akinjo
Daily, more than half of Nigeria’s population, consume information on get-rich-quick packages and incentives in an economy with skyrocketing inflation.

From catch phrases such as “Want to double your money in 2 days” to “Earn 30% on your capital in 60 days” pushed on media – the struggle to get people to engage in investment scams has tripled since the days of MMM in 2016.
The originators of these scams lure susceptible members of the society to what is called the Ponzi scheme and then disappear after they have ‘cashed out’. Despite consistent warnings from the SEC, EFCC and CBN raising concerns around investment scams; a larger Nigerian population believe these watchdogs are only trying to suspend their share of the ‘national cake’.
Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had in May 2019 circulated a notice to Nigerians about patronizing the then fast-rising Ponzi scheme, Loom Money Nigeria.
In June of 2019, widely read publication, Nairametrics, published a news story about Nigerians storming Loom’s office following the sudden crash of the scam outfit.
The SEC, had also in the second quarter of 2020, listed 12 investment scams’ outfits including popular MBA Forex and Helping Hands Investment Scheme which fronted as an initiative of the CBN.
However, by early 2021, investors in these schemes went to Twitter and the media to express frustrations over unpaid returns. Till date, MBA Forex still claims it will mollify investors who lost when the firm crashed. Evidently, this shows a large segment of Nigeria’s population possess an unhealthy attachment to investment scams.
Contrary to popular opinion, investments are not designed as a get-rich-quick instrument and a great deal of due diligence is required before initiation. It is also important to note that these scams will continue to spring up and as such seek more clarity on the returns’ claims when approached with an investment portfolio or proposal.
One way to gauge if an investment deal is too good to be true is to compare its returns with the national benchmark, the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR). Nigeria’s MPR as at today is 11.50 per cent. This explains that investment returns should ideally fall within this range. If an investment deal is offering you less, you should consider investing elsewhere.
If they are offering you a lot more than 11.5%, you need to run, literally. This is the fundamental phase to finding out if an investment opportunity is a scam – scrutinize their ROI claims and payment process.
The next phase is finding out if they are licensed as it is never enough to just be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). All investment platforms are to be registered with SEC and/or licensed by the CBN. An investment platform or company without any affiliations with either SEC or CBN should be considered as phony.
The SEC has provided a portal (http://sec.gov.ng/cmos/) providing information on all licensed capital market operators where prospective investors can conduct due diligence before closing with an investment platform.
More than often, it is advisable to also verify the credentials of the owners, promoters and originators of the investment opportunity or company and their experience in managing similar investments.
This also includes unreservedly considering paid promotions and influencing of these opportunities by celebrities as some of these platforms pay for celebrity endorsements knowing just how much patronage there is to gain.
It is crucial to run checks on the company to validate any links to fraud charges. Thankfully, platforms such as Nairaland, Facebook and Twitter have proven to assist with proof checking these investment opportunities.
Also, before investing in any opportunity, prospective investors should have the required information the exit strategy of such investment.
All investment decisions should be done weighing in counsel from a certified financial advisor. The next time you plan to invest your money, consult experts to avoid getting burnt.
Shile Akinjon is Corporate Finance Analyst, Advisory, DLM Capital Group
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.
Telecom3 days agoNigeria Dominates 2025 TikTok Sub-Saharan Africa Awards with Six Wins
E-Financial3 days agoFG, SEC, NGX Group Agree on Capital Gains Tax Reform
E-Financial2 days agoCBN Rejigs Financial Inclusion Strategy to Boost Economic Growth
E-Business3 days agoReport Reveals Half of 2025’s Compromised Passwords were Already Leaked
Broadcasting3 days agoEFCC Arik Case: Witness Testifies on Receiver Manager Nominee’s Role in NG Eagle Shareholding
E-Financial3 days agoA Nation on Alert: Is FIRS’ Xpress Payments Move Consolidating a Revenue Cartel?
Telecom3 days agoAirtel Africa Foundation Celebrates International Volunteer Day, Honours Employee Volunteers
E-Business3 days agoUBA Wins Africa’s Bank of the Year for Third Time in Five Years

















