By Godwin Oraifoh
A lecturer in the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences of the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, Kano, Dr. Goddy Osa Igbaekemen has cried out to the Inspector General of Police, authorities of the Central Bank of Nigeria and now to the general public for them to prevail on the authority of First City Merchant Bank, FCMB, that connived with some persons in authority at the Nigeria Police Academy, to deny him access to his salary account.
Dr. Igbaekemen petitioned the principal officers and the Bank where he operates a salary account, for Criminal Breach of Trust, Cheating, Deceit, Abuse of powers and unlawful acts by the staff of the bank, in conspiracy with the management of the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil.
The petition is as a result of a loan facility he obtained on the 27th June,2014. Dr. Igbaekemen secured the loan from the bank that was due to paid up in August 2021, from the bank’s successive deductions from his salary account. However, after the duration of repayment, as contained in the agreement between the bank and him and in spite of the intervention of the Central Bank of Nigeria, FCMB denied him access to his account and all attempt to make the bank explain to him in writing on the reason for such blockage, has proved abortive.
In view of the above however, Dr. Igbaekemen has reported this illegality by the bank to the Director, Consumer Protection Unit of the Central Bank of Nigeria, in a letter dated 24th February, 2022 and with a reminder dated 4th April, 2022. He has also requested from the Unit Head, Collection and Recovery Unit of the FCMB bank, in a letter dated 26th January, 2022. The illegality of FCMB staff in Kano was exposed from his explanation, but this bank staff failed to document his explanation in writing for further interrogation and he decline same so it can not be used as evidence. Again, the issue was reported to the Managing Director, FCMB, Through the Manager of Central Business District, Abuja of FCMB, in a letter dated 10th January, 2022.
Dr Igbaekemen, again, formally informed the Deputy Inspector General of Police, in a letter dated 22nd July 2021, where he reported that investigation into the gross misconduct with respect to his salary account, was compromised as the Police personnel charged with the duty of carrying out the investigation, compelled the management of POLAC, Wudil to appeal to him for a peaceful resolution of the impasse. Till date however, the illegality still continues without POLAC management intervention in the issue.
In spite of all the above measures however, no attempt has been made by the authorities of FCMB to revert the anomalies done to him by the bank which has been causing him a lot of financial discomfort.
