A former managing director of First Bank of Nigeria Plc (now FBN Holdings), Bisi Onasanya has denied any involvement in the alleged N12.3 billion advanced fee fraud levied against him and others during his tenure at the bank.
In a statement issued by his communication advisor, Michael Osunnuyi, Onasanya described the accusation as “baseless” and “unfounded,” expressing concern over the distress it has caused to his family, associates, and friends.
“Our attention has been drawn to allegations and charge sheet circulating on social media suggesting Dr Bisi Onasanya’s involvement in a purported commercial loan controversy at First Bank 12 years ago,” Mr Osunnuyi said.
“His stellar reputation of integrity, built over four decades of impeccable professional service, cannot and will not be tarnished by these false allegations and incorrect charges.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission last week launched a lawsuit against Onasanya, Oba Otudeko (formerly FBN Holdings chairman) and two others for colluding to obtain N12.3 billion credit facilities from the bank in 2013.
Nigeria’s top anti-corruption agency claimed they executed the plot by giving the impression that V-Tech Dynamic Links Limited and Stallion Nigeria Limited applied for the loans.
They also face charges for taking N6.2 billion of the proceeds of the act for personal use.
According to the prosecutor, the defendants made a false document “authorisation to issue investment certificate to First Bank” for use by the bank under the guise that the certificate is genuine and came from V-Tech Links Dynamic Limited.
Their arraignment is to commence on Monday at the Federal High Court in Lagos, but the EFCC said the trial would proceed in case Mr Otudeko fails to show up, vowing to issue a bench warrant for his arrest should that happen.
Onasanya, his spokesperson said on Sunday, is willing to work together with the EFCC.
The statement disclosed that the ex-First Bank of Nigeria Plc’s chief has not been issued any invite since an investigation by the EFCC since 2017.
