The recent sack of five Managing Directors of banks by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over the near collapse of their banks may have led to more trouble for top chiefs in the affected banks as the Metropolitan Police and other security outfits in the United Kingdom (UK) have laid siege to the top flight bankers in the country’s various points of entry.
Sources at the Heathrow and Gatwick airports in the United Kingdom (UK) told Sunday Tribune in a telephone chat at about 3:30 p.m. Nigerian time on Saturday, that there were strange movements at the two airports by Immigration and anti fraud units of the Metropolitan Police.
They were seen carrying out unusual checks on passengers on board any of the aircraft from Nigeria with the sole aim of ensuring that none of the top flight bankers, entered their country.
According to the source, who spoke with Sunday Tribune on condition of anonymity, “I came to the airport to check in my luggages in one of the airlines to Nigeria. What I noticed was not palatable at all. Virtually all the airlines that arrived from Nigeria and other West African countries underwent serious checks and passengers’ identity’ on board were seriously scrutinised. I was told that the recent revelation in the banking sector led to all these.”
It was also gathered that with the report in the media that two of the now wanted Managing Directors had relocated to Canada, the nation’s anti crime outfit, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), may have sought the assistance of its foreign counterparts to track down the absconding bank chiefs.
Two top shots in the finance sector were on Saturday, arrested by men of the EFCC, in continuation of the clampdown on bank chiefs in the country.
Sunday Tribune reliably gathered that the Managing Director of Union Capital Limited, Mr. Niyi Opeolu and Mr. John Maha, the Managing Director of Afribank Security Limited, were picked up by operatives of the EFCC at Lekki and Victoria Island, Lagos respectively.
Confirming the arrest of the finance chiefs, EFCC spokesman, Mr. Femi Babafemi said their arrest was in connection with their roles in the near collapse of the banking industry.
Similarly, following the indictment of five bank chiefs by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the State Security Service (SSS), has taken measures to stop the indicted bank executives from fleeing the country.
Sources in the service had confirmed that the top echelon took the decision to commence full surveillance on the sacked bank chiefs after men of the SSS stopped the Director General of the Securities and Exchange commission (SEC) Dr. Ndi Okereke-Nyiuke from traveling abroad in her private jet, immediately after the CBN sacked five of the Managing Directors of the nation’s banks.
Sources confirmed the SSS has decided to cooperate fully with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the CBN in ensuring that none of the bank chiefs who would be needed to make some clarifications escape from the country.
“We cannot be caught unawares by any of these people(bank chiefs), we have done what is necessary to ensure none of them escape and that they are around to answer questions when needed,” a source said.
The source said that operatives have been alerted to also monitor the borders very closely just as they closely watch the airports.
“You can be sure that our men will not allow any more slips, especially as we heard of the trip by the former Managing Director of Intercontinental Bank. We want to ensure that all those who are needed to answer questions are available at the right time, the source added.
It was gathered that while the operations of the SSS will not conflict with the ongoing investigations by the EFCC, the service will fully cooperate with the Commission especially by ensuring that none of the wanted bank chiefs run into exile.
Another source said that all avenues are being explored in this assignment, bearing in mind the ingenuity of some Nigerians when they are bent on fleeing a dangerous zone.
Sources also confirmed that though the surveillance assignment appears to be a routine activity of the SSS, the presidency has further directed that the service should take adequate measures to back up the ongoing investigations, while a directive was also said to have gone to all other security agencies to fully collaborate with the EFCC in the unfolding situation in the banking sector.
It was gathered that the service has also decided to take a more than passing interest in the movement of top management officials of the 11 banks that are yet to be left off the hook by the CBN.