Union Bank Plc has claimed ownership of the $2.8 million cash the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)said it intercepted and seized at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu yesterday.
Union Bank said in its response to Tweet by the EFCC that it was surprised by the release of a news bulletin prior to the completion of @officialefcc investigation.
The bank maintained that the movement of cash was routine and had followed due process.
EFCC had announced that it intercepted $2.8m (N1.02bn) from two people suspected to be money launderers at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
The suspects, namely Ighoh Augustine and Ezekwe Emmanuel, allegedly working for a firm, Bankers Warehouse, were nabbed based on intelligence report.
The EFCC said upon their arrests, they were caught with consignments of two suitcases containing $1.4m each, totalling $2.8m, at the departure lounge of the airport while about to board an Arik Air evening flight to Lagos.D
During interrogation, the suspects confessed that they have been in the business of conveying cash for “some notable banks” for over six years and were in the process of doing same for a bank (name withheld), located at New Market, Onitsha, Anambra State, when they were caught.
Union Bank’s response
The bank in its response maintained that the movement of cash was routine and had followed due process.
1: Movement of cash across states is routine for all banks.
— UNION BANK (@UNIONBANK_NG) December 21, 2018
2: Bankers Warehouse is licensed by CBN to provide Cash-in-Transit services
— UNION BANK (@UNIONBANK_NG) December 21, 2018
3: We are surprised by the release of a news bulletin prior to the completion of @officialefcc investigation
— UNION BANK (@UNIONBANK_NG) December 21, 2018
4: This is a legitimate and routine operation consistent with banking.
— UNION BANK (@UNIONBANK_NG) December 21, 2018
