First bank reacts, as Nigerian govt sues lender for alleged forgery

First Bank has denied allegation of forgery filed against the company by the Federal Government after one of its managers allegedly colluded to dispose a school proprietor of his property.

The government filed the lawsuit against First Bank and four other defendants, informing the court that the proprietor of Whiteplain British School, Francis Chukwumah Nwufor, was disposed of his property with a forged tripartite legal mortgage.

In the case no: CR/266/2023, without Nwufor’s consent, the tripartite legal mortgage was allegedly initiated by the branch manager of First Bank in Utako, Abuja.

The govt said the tripartite legal mortgage was executed with intent to commit fraud against Nwufor, resulting in three counts charge against the defendants.

The charges are forgery and criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and dishonesty to dispossess Nwufor of his property.

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Reacting to the allegations on Thursday, First Bank said it was being pushed by a delinquent debtor trying to embarrass the financial institution.

“Our attention has been drawn to a sponsored sensational report by some online publications on a charge brought against the Bank

“While we will not be able to offer further comments as the matter is sub-judice, suffice it to say that the basis of the charge is a spurious allegation made by a delinquent debtor with the intention of embarrassing the Bank and tainting the Bank’s loan recovery efforts and legal enforcement of its security collateral interest in accordance with the terms thereof.

“The bank assured that it would continue to explore all legitimate channels to seek redress.

“We wish to assure our numerous customers, stakeholders and the general public that FirstBank operates by the highest standards of ethical conduct and will under no circumstances involve itself in any act of illegality just as it will take necessary legal steps to check any attempt by recalcitrant debtors to fritter away depositors’ funds under its custody,” First Bank said.

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