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Polaris Bank: 100 Managers Allegedly Sacked with Unpaid Arrears As Financial Institution Fears Collapse.

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2 years ago

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Emerging report shows that all is not to be going well in One of Nigeria’s struggling commercial Bank, Polaris Bank, as fear of imminent distress has reportedly enveloped the financial institution, sparking disquiet among some customers and other stakeholders.

 

In 2018, the Central Bank of Nigeria took over the bank while it was on the brink of collapse, rebranding it as Polaris Bank. Four years later in October 2022, the CBN sold it in a move that has been widely criticized.

Instead of bringing the needed succour, the Bank has been enmeshed in serious crises of survival, the latest being the mass suspension of over 100 managers and unpaid arrears of workers salaries.

In order not to be caught unawares, some customers of the bank especially small and medium enterprises are reportedly taking their money out of Polaris Bank to safer banks, giving them the opportunity to have sound sleep and have nothing to worry about for fear of imminent distress.

According to inside sources in the bank, lately the bank has lost some customers (depositors) who are edgy about their deposits and have lost trust in the bank because of huge job losses and unethical industrial practices currently going on in the bank.

 

Investigations by this newspaper revealed that for the second month, over 100 branch managers of the bank are placed on suspension without pay for having non performing loan ratio above 5%.

 

However, it was gathered that these loans were duly approved and interests earned by the bank. Some of the managers told our correspondent that they did not book most of the loans but the loans were referred and booked by other senior staff who are walking about freely.

 

By labour laws, suspension without pay should not exceed two weeks but the bank initially issued a letter of suspension for 30 days. After the expiration, the suspension without pay continued for two months without further advise to the staff.

According to our sources, management has insisted that staff on suspension must come to work daily and are drilled for performance review on a daily basis with the managing director presiding over the weekly meetings which last late into the nights.

 

Industry watchers insisted that the move by the management of the bank showed that all is not well within the system and the managers may have been victims of scapegoatism due to imminent distress in the system.

Our investigations revealed that because of the obvious signs of distress in the bank, a number of individuals and SMEs have closed their accounts with the bank and moved their deposits to safer banks.

 

A dealer on building materials in the popular Jabi market (name withheld) said: “I decided to move my business away from Polaris Bank due to their inhuman treatment of my account managers. Earlier in the year, they sacked the manager who convinced me open an account with the bank few years back.

 

“I had also introduced him to many other dealers and I learnt the branch was profitable. I was still pondering over the job loss of my financial advisor and how solvent the bank was, when the new manager who took over from him informed me that he is already on suspension without pay yet the management insists he must resume everyday and asking for more business,” he said.

 

Similar stories are rife with customers of Polaris Bank. The bank is one of the lowest paying commercial banks in the country. We learnt that their pay structure is so poor that they are unable to headhunt staff from other banks.

We gathered that what the management has resorted to doing is to employ new staff on a different salary cadre which means new staff earn higher than old staff on the same grade. This has alerted industry watchers to the unhealthy state of the bank.

 

A management staff of the bank who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity said the bank was looking into these issues but that the story was meant to create panic in the industry. He appealed to customers to exercise patience with the bank while it navigates through the difficult phase.

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Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Spends Second Night In EFCC’s Cell Over N1.3 Trillion Alleged Fraud

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11 hours ago

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November 7, 2024

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Immediate past governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, who was arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has spent second night in the custody of the anti-graft commission.

 

Okowa is currently being investigated and detained over the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion.

 

The N1.3 trillion reportedly represents the 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

 

According to sources within the commission, Okowa was invited to the EFCC office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he’s subsequently detained by officials.

 

One of the sources stated, “Okowa was at our Port Harcourt office following an invitation from investigators probing the allegations against him. He was then arrested. The commission is investigating him regarding the N1.3 trillion 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

 

“He is also accused of failing to account for the funds, as well as another N40 billion he allegedly claimed was used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas. He reportedly bought shares worth N40 billion in one of the country’s major banks, representing an 8% equity stake, to support the offshore LNG project. The funds are alleged to have been misappropriated for other purposes.

Investigators are also examining the alleged diversion of funds by the former governor to acquire estates in Abuja and Asaba, Delta State. He is currently being held at the EFCC facility in Port Harcourt.

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Lagos Government Shuts Down Redeemed Church, Celestial Church, Clubs, Event Centres Over Noise Pollution

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24 hours ago

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November 6, 2024

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The Lagos State government has shut down a branch of Pastor E. A. Adeboye’s Redeemed Christian Church of God, a Celestial church, nightclubs and event centres over noise pollution.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who made this known on Wednesday, said the churches, clubs and event centres were sealed on Tuesday by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) in the Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota areas of the state.

The sealed establishments include: Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Nightclub and Lounge, Lounge & Lodging, Bridge Spot Bar, Okiki Event Center and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel.

The commissioner in a post on X said, “In a bid to address noise pollution and other environmental violations, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) took action yesterday, closing down several establishments across different parts of the state.

“This enforcement drive, focusing on areas like Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota, is part of LASEPA’s continuous efforts to uphold environmental standards and safeguard public health.

“The affected establishments include Honourable Lounge & Lodging, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Nightclub and Lounge, Bridge Spot Bar, Okiki Event Center and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel.”

 

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Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja: Tinubu directs flags be flown at half-mast

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1 day ago

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November 6, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu has directed that Nigeria’s national flags be flown at half mast for seven days across the country to mourn the passing of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

The late Army chief, who was appointed by Tinubu on 19 June 2023, was said to have passed away on Tuesday night after a prolonged illness.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, in a statement on Wednesday by his office Director of Information & Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen, said the president expressed regret over Lagbaja’s death.

Akume said, “President Bola Tinubu has expressed regret following the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, after a brief illness at the age of 56.

“The President has directed that national flags be flown at half mast throughout the country for seven days in honour of the departed Army chief.

“He profoundly appreciates the services of the departed to the nation and wishes the family the fortitude to bear the great loss.”

Meanwhile, the Ministers of Defence, Mohammed Badaru and Bello Matawalle, have commiserated with the president, the military, and Lagbaja’s family over his death.

In a statement by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Henshaw Ogubike, the ministers described Lagbaja’s death as a great loss to his family, the Army, and the nation at large.

“The passing on to eternal glory shocked us at the Ministry of Defence, as our working relationship with him was commendable; he exhibited the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation with us in the discharge of our mandate.

“The late Chief of Army Staff contributed significantly to internal security operations across Nigeria and also exhibited a high level of professionalism.

“He will be greatly missed by the family, the military, and the nation, as he served the nation with commitment and dedication,” the statement added.

 

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